The effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract on cisplatin-induced tissue damage in rats

The effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract on cisplatin-induced tissue damage was studied. A total of twenty rats were used for the study and split into four groups of five rats per group-group I, II, III, and IV. Tissue damage was induced in rats of groups II, III, and IV by a single intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin (5 mg/kg b.w.). Four days later, rats in groups III and IV were given 200 mg/kg b.w. and 300 mg/kg b.w respectively of the Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract once daily for another five days. Rats in group I were untreated controls. Tissue damage was later assessed in sera by measuring the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels were also measured in the livers and kidneys. The results reveal that the administration of cisplatin alone resulted to a significant increase in the levels of the serum markers over controls (p < 0.05). Cisplatin also caused a significant decrease in catalase activity, and also caused a significant reduction in the levels of reduced glutathione in the liver and kidney over controls (p < 0.05). Cisplatin also caused a gnificant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species in the liver (p < 0.05). All the markers assessed were brought to near control levels when the Hibiscus sabdariffa extract was given to the rats with the dose of 300 mg/kg b.w. possessing a higher activity. The results show that the Hibiscus sabdariffa extract ameliorated cisplatin-induced tissue damage in rats which may be dose-dependent.