Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Sepia officinalis Extract Aggravate Acute Kidney Injury Induced by a High Folic Acid Dosage in Wistar Rats

Background: Seafood is an important source of food for the majority of people. Marine species have a wide spectrum of pharmacological actions, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Sepia officinalis extract (SoE) on folic acid-induced acute kidney injury in Wistar rats. Methods: A single dosage of folic acid (250 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to cause kidney injury induced (AKI). The study contained three groups of six rats each: control, folic acid, and folic acid + SoE groups. The SoE group received SoE (45 mg/kg, orally) daily for one week, while the control and folic acid groups were administered distilled water. Results: The crude extract of Sepia officianlis contains heavy metals such as Fe, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Zn, according to our findings. The LD50 value of SoE was 450 mg/kg. SoE treatment increases creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels while decreasing total proteins, albumin, glutathione reduced, glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase. Several histological alterations were found in the liver and kidney of the SoE rats. Conclusion: The heavy metal content of S. officinalis extract has a synergistic effect with folic acid to induce hepatorenal injury. Natural extracts of marine species should be used with caution as a component of medications or natural remedies.