THE ROLE OF AQUEOUS AZADIRACHTAINDICA LEAF EXTRACT ON ALCOHOL-INDUCED KIDNEY TOXICITY IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

Introduction: Alcohol abuse is a major cause of disease with serious social and economic consequences. It causes various health problems, including mental health problems, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis and cardiovascular diseases. Azadirachtaindica (Neem), a pantropical plant with multiple uses has been described by some researchers for its potential renal protective effects. Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Azadirachtaindica on alcoholinduced kidney damage in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats weighing between 120 and 170 grams were divided into six groups(I-VI)of 5 rats per group and received, 1 ml of distilled water daily for 14days, 1 ml of 50% alcohol daily for 14days, 250 mg/kg body weight of Azadirachtaindica daily for 14 days, 500 mg/kg body weight of Azadirachtaindica daily for 14days, 1 ml of 50% alcohol daily for 14daysfollowed by 250 mg/kg body weight of Azadirachtaindica daily for 14days, 1 ml of 50% alcohol daily for 14days followed by 500 mg/kg body weight of Azadirachtaindica daily for 14daysrespectively. At the end of treatment, blood and kidney tissues were collected for analysis of serum Sodium ion (NA+), Potassium ion ( K+), Urea, Creatinine (Cr) and histology of the kidney respectively. Result: There was no significant change in serum NA+, K+, Urea and Cr levels in alcohol and Azadirachtaindica treated groups when compared to the untreated control. Histological findings showed heavy interstitial infiltrates of inflammatory cells, interstitial oedema and vascular dilatation and congestion in alcoholic treated rats when compared to the kidneys of untreated control. However, treatment with Azadirachtaindica particularly the 500 mg/kg dose caused a reversal of the inflammatory process induced by alcohol on the rats kidneys while at same time inducing interstitial vascular congestion. Conclusion: Azadirachtaindica possesses anti-inflammatory properties against alcohol-inducednepritis but induces vascular congestion in rats kidneys.