Toxicities due to exposure to arsenic-contaminated water and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus are major health concerns. Treatment of these concerns using therapeutic measures have recorded limited success. Traditionally, Laportea aestuans (LA) has been used in managing various diseases. Hence, we investigated the reno-hepatoprotective/antidiabetic potentials of methanol leaf extract of LA (MeLELA) in male Wistar rats. Thirty rats (100-150 g) were equally distributed into 6 groups: Group I (vehicle-treated); group II received 2.5 mg/kg sodium arsenite (SA) thrice a week for 2 weeks; group III received streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg once); group IV received 200 mg/kg LA daily for 14 days; group V received SA and LA; group VI received STZ and LA. Sodium arsenite and STZ induced reno-hepatotoxicity and diabetes, respectively. Phytochemical screening, biomarkers/enzyme activities, blood glucose levels, micronucleus assay, kidney, liver and pancreas histologies were determined according to standard procedures. Alkaloids, carotenoids and flavonoids were present in abundance. Both SA-and STZ-treated groups recorded significant (p < 0.05) reductions in serum protein concentrations, while co-treatment with LA significantly restored the levels. The SA-induced significant increase in creatinine/urea levels were significantly reduced by LA. Co-treatment of each of SA-and STZ-treated groups, respectively, with LA significantly decreased the elevated serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases' activities. Increased blood glucose level in diabetic group was remarkably lowered by LA. Also, the SA-induced frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was significantly ameliorated by LA. Conclusively, LA is protective against SA-induced toxicity and STZ-induced diabetes in Wistar rats.
Keywords: genotoxicity; kidney; laportea aestuans; liver; pancreas; sodium arsenite; streptozotocin.