EVALUATION OF THE PROPHYLACTIC POTENTIALS OF GOKO CLEANSER HERBAL MIXTURE (GCHM) IN ACETAMINOPHEN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY

This study evaluated the potency of an herbal mixture – Goko Cleanser Herbal Mixture (GCHM) in the prevention of Acetaminophen induced Nephrotoxicity. A total of 30 adult wistar rats weighing 150g-200g were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each. Animals were acclimatized for 7 days to laboratory conditions, fed with rat chow and distilled water ad libitum. All groups were pretreated for 11days (morning and night) as follows: Group1 (Normal-control) received 3ml/kg B.W distilled water, Group2 (Positive-control) not pretreated, Group3 (Standard-control) received Silymarin (100mg/kg b.w), Group4,5 and 6 received 1ml/kg b.w 2ml/kg b.w and 3ml/kg b.w GCHM respectively. On the 11th day, all Groups apart from Group1 were induced with 2mg/kg b.w Acetaminophen 30minutes after the normal drug administration. The normal drug administration continued to 14th day and on the 15th day, blood samples were collected after an overnight fast and the animals were sacrificed via Jugular-strangulation. The phytochemical constituents of the herbal mixture and the renal function makers were evaluated by standard methods. According to our data, Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Steroids, Glycosides, Anthocyanins, Anthraquinones, Phenols, Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Tannins, and Saponins were present. Rats in group2 had significant (p<0.05) increase in serum creatinine and urea levels but a significant (p<0.05) decrease in potassium and sodium levels indicating Nephrotoxicity. Groups 3,4,5 and 6 showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum sodium and potassium ion levels compared to Group1 and 2. We conclude that GCHM is rich in phytochemicals and could serve as a potential raw material in the development of therapeutics for kidney and related conditions.