Protective Effect of Bajakah Tampala (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk.) on Dexamethasone-Induced Renal Toxicity in Albino Rats

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of bajakah tampala (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk.) extract on IL-1 and IL-6 cytokine expression, renal histopathology, and hematological profile in albino rats suffering from dexamethasone-induced renal toxicity. A total of 25 male rats were divided into five groups, each with five replications i.e. (C-) placebo, (C+) animals were injected subcutaneously with 0.1 mg/kg BW of dexamethasone, (T1; T2; T3 groups) animals were injected subcutaneously with 0.1 mg/kg BW of dexamethasone, and administered orally with 200; 300; 400 mg/kg BW of S. littoralis Hassk extract, respectively. A subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg/kg BW of dexamethasone followed by an oral dose of S. littoralis Hassk extract was administered three times a week consecutively for 30 days. IL-1 and IL-6 expressions were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining, renal histopathology using H&E staining, while the hematological profile was quantified using a hematology analyzer. As a result, comparing the T2 and T3 groups to the C+ group, there was a significant decrease in the expression of IL-1 and IL-6. Meanwhile, the T3 group displayed results similar to the C- group. Based on histological findings, the T2 and T3 groups showed significant improvements when compared with C+ group. Furthermore, the T3 group's study of the hematological profile showed a significant improvement in leukocyte, erythrocyte, platelet, BUN, uric acid and creatinine levels when compared with the C+ group. In conclusion, the administration of 300 mg/kg BW of S. littoralis Hassk extract has the potential to mitigate renal toxicity caused by dexamethasone, as evidenced by improvements in IL-1 and IL-6, renal histology, and hematological profile.