Optimal Leaf: Fruit Ratios of Gongronema latifolium Extracts for Preserving Electrolyte Homeostasis in Naphthalene-induced Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Background: Environmental toxicants such as naphthalene and heavy metals induce oxidative stress that disrupts serum electrolyte balance, while Gongronema latifolium fruit and leaf extracts may offer protective effects against naphthalene-induced electrolyte disturbances in experimental models. Aims: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as naphthalene induce oxidative stress that disrupts electrolyte homeostasis, posing cardiovascular and renal risks. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of combined Gongronema latifolium fruit and leaf extracts on serum electrolytes in naphthalene-exposed Wistar rats as a possible natural therapeutic alternative for toxicant-induced electrolyte imbalance. Study Design: A controlled experimental design was adopted. Serum electrolyte assays were conducted in vivo studies using Wistar rats administered naphthalene to induce oxidative stress, with concurrent treatment using aqueous extracts of G. latifolium at varying fruit: leaf ratios. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n=6): Group A (normal control), Group B (positive control, Silymarin), Group C (negative control, naphthalene-only), and Groups D–H treated with naphthalene + G. latifolium extracts at 20:80, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40, and 80:20 leaf: fruit ratios, respectively. Serum Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, and HCO3- were assayed after 14 days. Data are Mean ± SEM and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Extract-treated groups D–H showed no significant difference against Group A for Na+, K+, and Ca2+ at p > 0.05. Group G (60 leaf:40 fruit) had Na+ (106.33 ± 2.95), K+ (2.53 ± 0.33), Ca2+ (1.67 ± 0.33), and HCO3- (3.90 ± 0.16 mmol/L) not significantly different from Group A and significantly lower than Group C at  p < 0.05 while other ratios showed partial responses at different serum electrolyte levels. Group C showed significant increases against Group A in Na+ (126.52 ± 28.04 vs 107.73 ± 9.09 mmol/L), Cl- (88.61 ± 1.75 vs 59.74 ± 2.26 mmol/L), K+ (3.43 ± 0.30 vs 2.86 ± 0.06 mmol/L), Ca2+ (2.55 ± 0.56 vs 1.91 ± 0.31 mmol/L), and HCO3- (4.60 ± 0.16 vs 3.32 ± 0.37 mmol/L) at p < 0.05. Conclusion: Gongronema latifolium fruit–leaf extracts helped preserve serum electrolyte balance in naphthalene‑exposed rats, with the 60:40 (leaf:fruit) ratio (Group G) demonstrating the most consistent and favorable profile across multiple electrolytes. These findings suggest its potential as a safe, natural, and cost-effective option for managing toxicant-induced electrolyte disturbances. Further studies are recommended to elucidate its mechanisms of action, molecular docking of the extracts and evaluate long-term safety.