Ameliorative effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Momordica charantia on lead nitrate induced kidney damage in adult wistar rats.

Mormodica charantia has been shown to possess antioxidant, hepatoprotective and anticancer effects while the kidneys have been shown to be the second largest repository of lead in lead poisoining. This study assessed the ameliorative effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Momordica charantia on lead nitrate induced kidney damage in wistar rats. Fourty four rats categorized into four groups (A, B, C & D) comprising eleven rats each were used for the study. Group A served as control, while group B and C received respectively lead and Momordica charantia only with group D rats receiving a combination of lead + Momordica charantia. There was reduced weight gain and reduced kidney weight in lead treated rats. Biochemical analysis showed statistically significant differences (p<0.001) in the mean Urea, Creatinine, Superoxide dismutase and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels of rats in the experimental groups. Histological observations showed severe distortion in the normal corticomedullary differentiation of the kidneys with these features being absent in the lead + Momordica charantia co-treated rats. Momordica charantia exhibits ameliorative potentials when co-administered with lead and can thus be considered nephroprotective.Keywords: Ameliorative, Lead nitrate, Momordica charantia, Nephroprotective