Chelation Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Phyllanthus amarus on Kidney Functions in Lead-intoxicated Albino Wistar Rats

The aim of the study was to investigate the chelation potential of aqueous leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Phyllanthus amarus in albino wistar rats intoxicated with lead using kidney function markers as indicators, and compare results to an EDTA chelation therapy. Both plants were assessed for phytochemicals. Forty-two male albino wistar rats with mean weight of 75 g were divided into seven groups of six animals each: normal NC (normal saline) and intoxicated control IC (1000 ppm lead acetate in water) for three weeks; Drug treated control DTC (75 mg/kg Na2EDTA co-administered with 5 mg/kg Calcium); V. amygdalina-treated IT1 (100 mg/kg) and IT2 (200 mg/kg); P. amarus-treated IT3 (100 mg/kg) and IT4 (200 mg/kg) for eight consecutive days after three weeks of exposure. Biomarkers analyzed include serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, and electrolytes. Histological assessments on kidney tissues were performed. A significantly elevated (p < 0.05) trend was detected in serum urea (17.93±2.99 mmol/L) and creatinine (4.28±1.38 mg/dL) levels of the intoxicated control IC. The DTC (10.16±1.46 mmol/L), 100 mg/kg VA(12.69±1.59 mmol/L), 200 mg/kg VA(10.48±1.12 mmol/L), 100 mg/kg PA(9.96±1.83 mmol/L) and 200 mg/kg PA (9.12±1.19 mmol/L) treatment groups showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum urea concentrations close to NC (10.55±1.20 mmol/L). Similar significant reversal (p < 0.05) of the elevated serum creatinine levels were observed in DTC (2.60±1.08 mg/dL), 100 mg/kg VA(2.22±0.43 mg/dL), 200 mg/kg VA(2.07±0.416 mg/dL), 100 mg/kg PA(1.99±0.27 mg/dL) and 200mg/kg PA (2.04±0.28 mg/dL). The intoxicated control IC exhibited remarkable decline (p < 0.05) in serum sodium (69.67±8.59 mmol/L) and potassium (4.93±0.71 mmol/L) concentrations. These were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in all treatment groups. Histological examinations confirmed the amelioration of deranged tissues in the treatment groups. Aqueous leaf extracts of V. amygdalina and P. amarus can compete favorably with an EDTA chelation therapy, with regard to reversing impaired kidney functions as a result of lead intoxication.