none 10.31254/phyto.2025.14302 BioMed Research Publishers BioMed Research Publishers 16195 182218939 316921 20250913111828153 10.31254 2025-09-13T11:18:35Z 2025-09-13T11:18:34Z 0 The Journal of Phytopharmacology J Phytopharmacol 2320480X 10.31254/phyto https://phytopharmajournal.com/ 07 31 2025 14 3 Kounouho R. Adounkpe Kougblenou Yendubé T. Kantati https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7515-494X Povi Lawson-Evi Kossi Metowogo Aklesso Mouzou Kwashie Eklu-Gadegbeku Background: Spirulina Dou Bogan (SPD) is a strain of the green algae Spirulina platensis produced at IREDESA (Pahou, Benin). We have previously shown that SPD (75 mg/kg, body weight, bw) protects against chronic high fructose administration-induced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of SPD to protect the nephrons of SD rats against acute renal injury induced by potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). Materials and Methods: Five groups of eight SD rats each were formed and pretreated daily by gavage with SPD (75 mg/kg, bw), the ethyl acetate fraction of SPD (EAF 75 mg/kg, bw), and the aqueous fraction of SPD (AQF 75 mg/kg, bw) for 10 days consecutively. On day 8, animals were injected with a single dose of K2Cr2O7 (15 mg/kg, s.c). After 48 hours, renal (creatinine and urea) and liver (AST and ALT) markers were monitored on blood samples, when malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) quantifications, and histopathological analyses were realized on kidney tissues. Results: SPD and EAF significantly reversed the deleterious effects of K2Cr2O7 on urea and creatinine levels. EAF effects, in particular, indicate possible antioxidant mechanisms, as illustrated by the decrease in MDA production and enhancement of glutathione levels in the kidneys of animals treated with SPD and EAF compared to K2Cr2O7-treated animals. As expected, SPD and EAF treatments restored the histopathological changes induced by K2Cr2O7. Conclusion: In addition to its antidiabetic properties, SPD's nephroprotective properties make it an excellent nutraceutical for managing chronic diabetic conditions. 07 31 2025 135 140 1 10.31254/biomed-crossmark-policy www.biomedresearch.org false 10.31254/phyto.2025.14302 https://phytopharmajournal.com/articles/abstracts/815/year=2025&vol=14&issue=3