Aqueous Basella alba Mitigates Cyclosporine-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats: Relevance in Adjuvant Therapy
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https://doi.org/10.71079/ASIDE.HS.090325203Abstract
Introduction: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant agent that is usually considered as a first-line therapy against organ rejection after a transplant procedure. However, its administration is often associated with nephrotoxicity and a compromise of kidney function. There is a paucity of literature on the effects of aqueous Basella alba leaf extract (ABALE) in this condition. This study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap.
Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each, such that the experimental groups received graded doses of ABALE at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 400mg/kg for 21 consecutive days, after inducing nephrotocity with CsA at 20mg/kg/day (i.p).
Results: Treatment with ABALE resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and elevated plasma markers of kidney dysfunction, with the highest dose showing the greatest protective effect (p < 0.05). Histological analysis of the kidneys also revealed near-normal architecture following ABALE treatment, while CsA administration was associated with marked vacuolation of the kidney interstitium and glomerular atrophy. However, no significant difference was observed between the untreated recovery group and the nephrotoxicity model group.
Conclusion: ABALE mitigated cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity by suppressing plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines and restoring antioxidant balance. These findings suggest that the extract may serve as a promising adjuvant therapy in CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.
Keywords:
Cyclosporin, Nephrotoxicity, Basella alba, Pro-inflammatory pathway, Oxidative stressReferences
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Data Availability Statement
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available, as the work was based solely on animal experiments and no additional data were created. Further details are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Imafidon Christian Eseigbe, Oke Oluwamayowa Gracious, Ojo-Ayangoke Esther Opeyemi, Ademoye Aderonke Kehinde
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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Article history
- Received
- 2 Aug 2025
- Received in revised form
- 27 Aug 2025
- Accepted
- 29 Aug 2025
- Published
- 3 Sep 2025
