Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Therapeutic potential of methanol extracts of Calocybe indica (mushroom) on cadmium chloride-induced hepato-renal toxicity in rats

Ebuka Leonard Onyeyilim^1,2, Joseph Akor^3,4 , Lebechi Faith Akor⁵, Lydia Amaechi Ogara³, Vitalis Emelie Anikwe³, Cosmas Chinweike Eze^6,7, Angela Ifeanyi Odenigbo⁸

¹Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001 Nsukka, Nigeria,; ²Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA,; ³Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001 Nsukka, Nigeria,; ⁴Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA,; ⁵Department of Mathematics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri,; ⁶Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001 Nsukka, Nigeria,; ⁷Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204, USA,; ⁸Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.

For correspondence:- Joseph Akor Email: Joseph.akor@unn.edu.ng

Received: 5 August 2024 Accepted: 24 December 2024 Published: 28 January 2025

Citation: Onyeyilim EL, Akor J, Akor LF, Ogara LA, Anikwe VE, Eze CC, et al. Therapeutic potential of methanol extracts of Calocybe indica (mushroom) on cadmium chloride-induced hepato-renal toxicity in rats. Trop J Pharm Res 2025; 24(1):53-58 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v24i1.8

© 2025 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of Calocybe indica extract (CIE) in alleviating liver and kidney toxicity caused by cadmium chloride (CdCl?) in rats. Methods: Six groups of five rats each were used in this study. Group A was the control while groups B to F received 3 mg/kg CdCl2 subcutaneously. Group B was induced with CdCl2 alone for 21 days. Orally, 100 mg/kg of vitamin C, and 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of CIE were used to treat groups C, D, E, and F respectively. Data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS), and results were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Results: Group B had higher liver and kidney weights, and lower body weight compared to control group (p ≥ 0.05). Treatment with CIE increased body weight in CdCl2-induced rats lowers serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, improves liver and kidney function, and significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Calocybe indica (CIE) extract increases body weight, lowers serum levels of liver enzymes, improves kidney function and significantly lowers SOD activity. Calocybe indica extract may serve as a potential pharmacological candidate or therapeutic alternative for managing hepato-renal injuries. Subsequent molecular studies to ascertain its bioactive compounds will pave the way for the discovery of drug candidates.

Keywords: Cadmium toxicity, Liver injury, Herbal medicine, Antioxidant therapy, Calocybe indica extract