Clove Aqueous Extract Alleviates Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Folic Acid in Rats

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common clinical disease that has a high incidence and mortality rate. Clove, a robust natural source of bioactive chemicals and rich in secondary metabolites, plays a wide range of biological roles.

The present study aimed to assess the ameliorative efficacy of clove extract against acute renal damage induced by folic acid in rats.

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to investigate the main components of clove extract. Folic acid, at a dose of 250 mg/kg, was delivered intraperitoneally to rats to induce AKI. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups: control, AKI, and AKI + clove extract (500 mg/kg).

The administration of clove extract significantly restored the levels of creatine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride, creatinine clearance, and microalbumin to nearly normal levels. Also, clove water extract inhibited oxidative stress by decreasing concentrations of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide (NO). Furthermore, clove extract elevated the levels of Glutathione-reduced (GSH), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione S-transferase (GST). Kidney section histology showed notable improvements after the administration of clove extract.

The clove water extract has been found to contain many bioactive components possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively protecting against acute renal injury.