Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious health problem with high morbidity and mortality, mainly attributable to cardiovascular risk. Garcinia lucida is traditionally used in Cameroon for the management of
cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects of the aqueous extract from the stem bark of G. lucida (AEGL). The in vitro
antioxidant effect of AEGL was assessed at concentrations ranging 1-300 μg/mL against DPPH, lipid peroxidation, and
AAPH-induced
hemolysis. The reducing power and phenolic and
flavonoids contents were also determined. CKD was induced by intraperitoneal bolus injection of
adenine (50 mg/kg/day) for 4 consecutive weeks to male Wistar rats. AEGL (150 and 300 mg/kg/day) or
captopril (20 mg/kg/day) was concomitantly administered with
adenine per os. Bodyweight and blood pressure were monitored at baseline and weekly during the test. At the end of the experiment, plasma
creatinine,
urea, AST, and ALT were quantified.
Proteinuria,
creatinine excretion, and
creatinine clearance were also assessed. The effect on GSH, CAT, and SOD activity was evaluated in cardiac and renal homogenates. Sections of the heart and kidney were stained with
hematoxylin and
eosin. AEGL exhibited a potent in vitro
antioxidant activity and was shown to possess a large amount of phenolic compounds.
Adenine alone increased blood pressure, cardiac and kidney mass,
proteinuria,
protein to
creatinine ratio, plasma
creatinine, AST, and
urea levels (p < 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001). Besides, the bodyweight and
creatinine clearance were significantly reduced (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). All these alterations were blunted by the
plant extract, except the bodyweight loss. In addition, AEGL improved GSH levels and CAT and SOD activities. AEGL attenuated
adenine-induced
glomerular necrosis, tubular dilatation, and cardiac
inflammation. AEGL exhibits cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects that may be ascribed to its
antihypertensive and
antioxidant activities.