Nephrotoxicity Assessment of Dr Iguedo Goko Cleanser® in Exposed Wistar Rats

Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the toxicity concern of Dr Iguedo Goko Cleanser® on kidney function parameters and histoarchitecture of the kidneys of exposed Wistar rats.

Study Design: A 60-day subchronic toxicological assessment using animal model.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria, between March 2019 and July 2019.

Methodology: Acute toxicity study was conducted using the modified Lorke’s method. Thirty Wistar rats of both genders were randomly allotted to six groups (5/group) and orally-treated daily thus: Groups 1 and 4-Controls (distilled water, 10 mL/kg), Groups 2-3; 5-6 received the Polyherbal mixture (476.24; 158.75) mg/kg, respectively. On 62nd day, animals were euthanized under diethyl ether anaesthesia and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Eviscerated kidneys were weighed and fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological examination.

Results: Polyherbal mixture presented acute toxicity with an estimated LD50 of 1587.45 mg/kg (mouse, i.p). Results presented significant (P=.05) decreased blood urea nitrogen at all doses tested; elevated Na+ for high dose male (124.58±1.82) and female (122.77±0.00) rats compared to their respective controls (110.49±3.17/97.33±1.78) as well as increased creatinine levels for low dose male rats (145.83±7.45) compared to control (36.46±1.24). Histopathology of the kidneys revealed degrees of pathologies such as hyperplasic glomerular cells, occluding Bowman’s space, hyperaemia within the cortical tissue, widened proximal and distal convoluted tubules, hyperplasia of cortical tissue cells as well as hyperplasia of tubular and connective tissue cells.

Conclusion: Despite the popular claim that herbal remedies are completely natural, safe and devoid of toxicities whatsoever, the present day study suggest otherwise. Therefore, utmost caution and/or avoidance of the polyherbal mixture whenever possible, is strongly advised especially as its nephrotoxic potentials are not negligible.