Renoprotective and antioxidant effects of the ethanolic extract of Diospyros lotus in mitigating hypertension-induced acute kidney injury in Wistar rats

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is closely associated with chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Despite advancements in medical treatments, no established therapy effectively prevents AKI from progressing to chronic kidney disease (CKD), highlighting the need for alternative therapies. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of the ethanolic extract of black persimmon (Diospyros lotus L.) on hypertension-induced AKI in Wistar rats.

Rats were divided into five groups: control (G1), hypertensive-AKI (G2), hypertensive-AKI treated with standard drug (G3), and hypertensive-AKI treated with ethanolic extract of D. lotus L. @400 mg/kg/day (G4) and @600 mg/kg/day (G5). Hypertension and AKI were induced by exposing rats to cigarette smoke (two cigarettes/week) and 30% high-fat diet. The ethanolic extract was prepared via ultrasonic-assisted extraction, with subsequent proximate and phytochemical analyses. Treatments were administered for 30 days. Various assessments were conducted, including ECG readings, serum levels of creatinine, BUN, urea, and uric acid, oxidative stress markers (TAC, TOS, and MDA), antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, SOD, GPx, and GST), and renal histopathology.

Treatment with the ethanolic extract of D. lotus L. significantly improved renal function and antioxidant status. Serum creatinine decreased from 0.94 to 0.73 mg/dL, BUN from 1.03 to 0.71 mg/dL, and urea from 51.27 to 42.34 mg/dL. TAC increased from 1.2 to 2.2 µmol/L, and antioxidant enzyme activities were enhanced (catalase from 0.93 to 1.19 U/mg protein, SOD from 151.32 to 247.22 U/mg protein, GPx from 27.32 to 41.1 U/mg protein, and GST from 42.36 to 64.76 U/mg protein). TOS and MDA levels were reduced from 2.54 to 1.87 µmol/L and 3.67 to 1.73 nmol/mg protein, respectively. The histopathological analysis revealed reduced renal inflammation, glomerulosclerosis, and tubular damage.

The ethanolic extract of D. lotus L. shows significant promise in mitigating hypertension-induced renal damage and oxidative stress, indicating its potential as a natural therapeutic option for managing AKI.