Serum Biochemical Evidence of Hepatorenal Protective Effects of <i>n</i>-Hexane Extract of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts in Metabolic Syndrome-Induced Wistar Rats

Abstract

<i>Introduction:</i> Metabolic syndrome is associated with hepatic and renal dysfunction driven by hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, oxidative stress, and electrolyte imbalance. <i>Terminalia catappa</i> nuts (TCN) are rich in lipophilic bioactive compounds with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the effects of the <i>n</i>-hexane extract of TCN on serum biochemical markers of hepatic and renal function in Wistar rats with metabolic syndrome. <i>Methods</i><i>:</i> Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (<i>n</i> = 8): negative control, metabolic syndrome control, standard drug (metformin + atorvastatin), and TCN-treated group (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day). Metabolic syndrome was induced using a high-fat and high-sugar diet. Serum liver enzymes, serum proteins, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, and electrolytes were analysed. Data were evaluated using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <i>Results</i><i>:</i> The metabolic syndrome control group exhibited significant increases in ALP (148±0.98 U/L), ALT (23.4±0.25 U/L), AST (22.0±0.01 U/L), urea (5.2±0.49 mmol/L), creatinine (92.8±1.22 μmol/L), and bilirubin (10.4±0.25 μmol/L), alongside reduced total protein (65.0±0.01 g/L) and albumin (31.0±0.01 g/L). TCN treatment ameliorated these alterations. At 200 mg/kg, ALP, ALT, and AST levels decreased to 138±1.22 U/L, 20.6±0.98 U/L, and 17.8±0.49 U/L, respectively, with urea and creatinine reducing to 4.8±0.49 mmol/L and 86.2±0.74 μmol/L. The 400 mg/kg dose further improved these markers (ALP: 134±1.71 U/L; ALT: 17.0±0.01 U/L; urea: 4.2±0.74 mmol/L; creatinine: 81.4±0.74 μmol/L). At 800 mg/kg, maximum efficacy was observed, with ALP (127±1.22 U/L), ALT (12.6±0.98 U/L), urea (3.6±0.49 mmol/L), and creatinine (73.0±1.22 μmol/L) approaching baseline levels. TCN restored electrolyte balance across all doses, improved protein synthesis (TP: 68.2±0.49 g/L, ALB: 37.8±0.74 g/L), and reduced bilirubin to 6.8±0.49 μmol/L at the highest dose. <i>Conclusion</i><i>:</i> The <i>n</i>-hexane extract of TCN demonstrates dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects, as evidenced by improvements in serum biochemical and electrolyte markers in metabolic syndrome-induced Wistar rats.