Effect of Aqueous Extract and Anthocyanins of Calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) in Rats with Adenine – Induced Chronic Kidney Disease

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces (HS) can mitigate several multi‐organ injuries, one of which is chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we tested the effect of water extract of HS and a concentrated extract of its isolated anthocyanins on experimental adenine ‐ induced CKD. Rats were orally given, for 28 consecutive days, either adenine, alone or together with either HS aqueous extract or anthocyanins. For comparative purposes, two groups of rats were given lisinopril (10 mg/Kg). One day after the end of the treatment period, blood pressure was measured, followed by collection of urine, plasma and kidney tissues. Adenine ‐ induced CKD was characterized by significant body weight reduction, renomegaly and hypertension, as well as by elevations in plasma creatinine, urea, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin activity, urinary albumin, and N ‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase activity, and decrease in creatinine clearance. Adenine also significantly increased the concentrations of several inflammatory cytokines and decreased those of oxidative stress indices. Renal tissue sections of adenine–fed rats showed significant increase in renal damage and markers of inflammation and fibrosis. HS aqueous extracts and isolated anthocyanins lessened, mostly in a dose – dependent manner, the severity of CKD to a similar extent to that of lisinopril. HS and its anthocyanins could be considered as possible promising safe dietary agents that could be used to attenuate the progression of human CKD. Support or Funding Information Financially supported from a grant from SQU (IG/SQU/MED/01/2014)