International Peer-Reviewed Journal•Open Access•ISSN 2456-8880
irejournals@gmail.com•+91-7433024337

Home / Current Issue / Paper 1715526

1715526 Vol 9 · Issue 9 Download Paper

In vivo determination of effects of fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum leaf extract on kidney function of Bitis arietans envenomated Wistar rats.

Eneji, Emmanuel Afen Yakubu, O. E Imo, Chinedu

Subject area: Biological & Medical Sciences  ·  Area of research: Biochemistry

DOI: 10.64388/IREV9I9-1715526

Abstract

Background: In many parts of Nigeria, the Puff adder (Bitis arietans) is a serious threat to public health. Its venom often causes severe internal damage, specifically targeting the kidneys. This study set out to see if natural compounds found in African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) leaves could help protect the kidneys from these toxic effects. Methods: We started by breaking down the leaf extract into 24 different parts (fractions). After testing them in the lab, we chose the three most powerful fractions (F5B, F6A, and F10B) to test in Wistar rats. We gave the rats a controlled dose of venom and then treated different groups with either the plant fractions or a standard anti-venom. We then monitored their kidney health by checking urea, creatinine, and electrolyte levels, alongside physical exams of the kidney tissues and antioxidant activity. Results: The results showed that the venom caused immediate and significant kidney damage, spiking waste levels in the blood and causing "oxidative stress" in the tissues. However, the rats treated with the C. albidum fractions showed remarkable recovery. These plant extracts worked similarly to standard anti-venom, bringing kidney function markers back toward normal levels. Detailed analysis (HPLC) revealed that the leaves are packed with protective compounds like myricetin and various beneficial acids. Furthermore, the extracts helped reduce the over-expression of the VEGF gene caused by the venom and physically shielded the kidney tissues from permanent scarring. Conclusion: Our findings show that Chrysophyllum albidum leaves contain potent ingredients that can fight off the kidney-damaging effects of Puff adder venom. This suggests that these local plants could be a valuable resource for developing new, more accessible treatments for snakebite victims.

Keywords

Chrysophyllum albidum, Bitis arietans, Kidney function, Anti-venom, Nephrotoxicity, Antioxidants

References

[1] Tianyi FL, Roberts T, Okafor C, et al. Epidemiological burden and clinical features of puff adder envenoming. J Trop Med. 2025;12(1):15-22.

[2] Vulfius EE, Kasheverov IE, Starkov VG, et al. Pictorial view of Bitis arietans. Toxicon. 2011;58(8):62-68.

[3] Warrell DA. Clinical toxicology of snakebite in Africa. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;120:1061-1083.

[4] Slagboom J, Kool J, Harrison RA, Casewell NR. Snake venomics: from back to basic. Toxins (Basel). 2017;9(11):358.

[5] Casewell NR, Cook AS, Wagstaff SC, et al. Venom variation and its therapeutic implications. FEBS Lett. 2014;588(10):1887-1897.

[6] World Health Organization. Snake Antivenoms: Management of Snakebites. WHO; 2010.

[7] Strydom RR, Strydom MA, Fry BG. Geographic variation in Bitis arietans venom. Toxicon. 2016;119:124-131.

[8] Kazandjian TD, Petras D, Robinson SD, et al. Evolutionary pathways of snake venom. Science. 2021;371(6525):181-185.

[9] Megale AA, Kanashiro MM, Oliveira AK, et al. Toxin composition of Bitis arietans venom. J Proteomics. 2018; 181:21-33.

[10] Megale AA, Ferreira RN, Oliveira AK, et al. The role of KN-Ba in fibrinogen cleavage and inflammation. Toxins. 2021;13(4):254.

[11] Nashimoto S, Hirano K, Okaniwa M. Bitiscentin-3 and platelet agglutination. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2022;1866(2):129-138.

[12] Kodama RT, Castro-Santis RE, Gimenes SN, et al. Hypotensive peptides in Bitis venoms. Toxicon. 2015;101:10-18.

[13] Currier RB, Harrison RA, Rowley PD, et al. Intra-specific variation in puff adder venom. Toxicon. 2010;55(8):1434-1441.

[14] Oliveira AK, Menaldo DL, Bernardes CP, et al. Variation in venom function in Angolan B. arietans. J Venom Anim Toxins. 2018;24(1):12.

[15] Senji Laxme RR, Attarde S, Khochare S, et al. Biogeographical variation in the Indian cobra venom. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021;15(3):e0009232.

[16] Sánchez EF, Flores-Ortiz RJ, Alvarenga VG, et al. Neutralization of Bitis arietans venom by EchiTAb-Plus. Toxicon. 2015;110:1-10.

[17] Houessou G, Klotoe JR, Dougnon V, et al. Wound healing and antimicrobial properties of Chrysophyllum albidum seed and root extracts. J Med Plant Res. 2012;6(9):1701-1707.

[18] Obasi DC, Agbafor KN, Obasi JN. Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Chrysophyllum albidum aqueous leaf extract. Niger J Biochem Mol Biol. 2022;37(2):138-143.

[19] Yakubu OE, Nwodo OFC, Abdulrahman M. Effects of C. albidum on oxidative stress markers in envenomated rats. Int J Biol Chem Sci. 2019;13(4):2102-2115.

[20] Adebayo GI, Aliyu R, Gbadamosi SO, et al. Isolation of myricetin rhamnoside from Chrysophyllum albidum leaves. J Med Plant Res. 2010;4(10):951-956.

[21] Okoli BJ, Okere OS. Photochemistry of Chrysophyllum albidum stem slash, seed cotyledon, leaves and root. Int J Chem Sci. 2010;3(2):155-159.

[22] Ushie FE, Adamu AK, Agbafor KN. Phytochemical screening of methanol leaf extracts of C. albidum. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2014;3(4):11-15.

[23] Idu M, Erhabor JO, Efijuemue HM. Phytochemical and ethnomedicinal studies of Chrysophyllum albidum. Niger J Biotechnol. 2014;28:35-41.

[24] Duyilemi OP, Lawal IO. Phytochemical components of Chrysophyllum albidum leaves. Sci Res Essays. 2009;4(11):1255-1258.

[25] Amusa NA, Ashaye OA, Oladapo MO. Biodeterioration of the African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) in storage. Afr J Biotechnol. 2003;2(11):431-435.

[26] Adisa SA. Vitamin content of Chrysophyllum albidum. J Food Technol. 2000;5(1):13-18.

[27] Ajewole K, Adeyeye A. Characterization of Chrysophyllum albidum seed oil. Food Chem. 2009;114(2):401-405.

[28] 28.Imaga NO, Urua EE. Physicochemical and mineral analyses of Chrysophyllum albidum. J Med Sci. 2013;13(7):560-566.

[29] Ureigho UN, Ekeke BA. Nutrient analysis of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit. J Appl Sci Environ Manage. 2010;14(2):15-19.

[30] Chukwuemeka R. Mineral elements in fresh C. albidum fruits. Niger J Bot. 2006;19(1):102-108.

[31] Adebayo GI, Aliyu R, Gbadamosi SO, et al. Antioxidant properties of Chrysophyllum albidum leaves. J Med Plant Res. 2011;5(20):5040-5045.

[32] Abiodun O, Ogunleye FA, Oladapo A. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant models of C. albidum. Acta Sci Pharmacol. 2011;2(1):45-51.

[33] Idowu TO, Onawunmi GO, Ogundaini AO, et al. Isolation of eleagnine from C. albidum seed cotyledon. Niger J Nat Prod Med. 2006;10:107-110.

[34] Yakubu, O. E., Abu, M. S., Akighir, J., Onuche, J. I., and Arabi, A. Comparative determination of total antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves. Asian Journal of Natural Product Biochemistry, 2022: 19(2).

[35] Chen L, Wang M, Zhang Y. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of hydroxycinnamic acids. J Agric Food Chem. 2024;72(4):1120-1128.

[36] Zhang X, Zhao Y, Fu L. Synergistic effects of phenolic acids and carotenoids in plant extracts. Phytochem Anal. 2015;26(3):210-218.

[37] Subedi L, Cho K, Park YU, et al. Isorhapontigenin: a potent stilbenoid for inflammatory disorders. Molecules. 2019;24(11):2045.

[38] Dwivedi S, Kumar A, Singh R. The role of phytosterols in cardiovascular health. Int J Cardiol. 2025;398:45-52.

[39] Zhao H, Liu J, Wang S. Salicylic acid and alkaloids in traditional medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 2025;310:116-124.

[40] Pavlikova N. Caffeic acid as a therapeutic agent in oxidative stress. Antioxidants. 2022;11(5):890.

[41] Ullah A, Munir S, Badshah SL, et al. Important flavonoids and their role as a therapeutic agent. Molecules. 2020;25(22):5243.

[42] Husain I, Chawla A, Sharma S. Anthocyanins and flavonols: powerful tools against venom-induced oxidative stress. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022;145:112-120.

[43] Du X, Wang Y, Li Z. Theaflavins: cellular protection and antioxidant capacity. Food Funct. 2025;16(2):880-889.

[44] Valitova JN, Sulkarnayeva AG, Ibragimov FV. Plant sterols and polarity in solvent extraction. Chem Nat Compd. 2024;60(1):15-22.

[45] Ibrahim M. Snakebite envenomation as a public health emergency. Afr J Sci. 2025;8(2):44-52.

[46] Fernandez J, Gutierrez JM, Angulo Y, Sanz L, Calvete JJ. Proteomic and toxicological profiling of the venom of Bitis arietans from Ghana. Toxicon. 2014;84:18-25.

[47] Dingwoke EJ, Adamu S, Sallau AB, et al. Bitis arietans venom-induced nephrotoxicity: biochemical and histopathological studies. J Toxicol. 2024;2024:1-12.

[48] Chinyere OA, George AE, Ifeanyi OR, et al. Inhibition of Bitis arietans venom protease and phospholipase A2 activities by Annona senegalensis extract. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2016;6(9):745-751.

How to cite this paper

Eneji, Emmanuel Afen, Yakubu, O. E, Imo, Chinedu "In vivo determination of effects of fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum leaf extract on kidney function of Bitis arietans envenomated Wistar rats." Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 9 2026 Page 3221-3232 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1715526
Eneji, Emmanuel Afen, Yakubu, O. E, Imo, Chinedu "In vivo determination of effects of fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum leaf extract on kidney function of Bitis arietans envenomated Wistar rats." Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 9, Mar. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1715526
Eneji, Emmanuel Afen, Yakubu, O. E, Imo, Chinedu (2026). In vivo determination of effects of fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum leaf extract on kidney function of Bitis arietans envenomated Wistar rats.. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(9). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1715526
Eneji, Emmanuel Afen, Yakubu, O. E, Imo, Chinedu "In vivo determination of effects of fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum leaf extract on kidney function of Bitis arietans envenomated Wistar rats." Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 9, Mar. 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1715526
@article{1715526,
      author = {Eneji, Emmanuel Afen, Yakubu, O. E, Imo, Chinedu},
      title = {In vivo determination of effects of fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum leaf extract on kidney function of Bitis arietans envenomated Wistar rats.},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {9},
      number = {9},
      pages = {3221-3232},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1715526.pdf},
      abstract = {Background: In many parts of Nigeria, the Puff adder (Bitis arietans) is a serious threat to public health. Its venom often causes severe internal damage, specifically targeting the kidneys. This study set out to see if natural compounds found in African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) leaves could help protect the kidneys from these toxic effects.
Methods: We started by breaking down the leaf extract into 24 different parts (fractions). After testing them in the lab, we chose the three most powerful fractions (F5B, F6A, and F10B) to test in Wistar rats. We gave the rats a controlled dose of venom and then treated different groups with either the plant fractions or a standard anti-venom. We then monitored their kidney health by checking urea, creatinine, and electrolyte levels, alongside physical exams of the kidney tissues and antioxidant activity.
Results: The results showed that the venom caused immediate and significant kidney damage, spiking waste levels in the blood and causing "oxidative stress" in the tissues. However, the rats treated with the C. albidum fractions showed remarkable recovery. These plant extracts worked similarly to standard anti-venom, bringing kidney function markers back toward normal levels. Detailed analysis (HPLC) revealed that the leaves are packed with protective compounds like myricetin and various beneficial acids. Furthermore, the extracts helped reduce the over-expression of the VEGF gene caused by the venom and physically shielded the kidney tissues from permanent scarring.
Conclusion: Our findings show that Chrysophyllum albidum leaves contain potent ingredients that can fight off the kidney-damaging effects of Puff adder venom. This suggests that these local plants could be a valuable resource for developing new, more accessible treatments for snakebite victims.},
      keywords = {Chrysophyllum albidum, Bitis arietans, Kidney function, Anti-venom, Nephrotoxicity, Antioxidants},
      month = {March},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1715526}
  }