Review of Comparative Renoprotective Study of Allium cepa (Bulb) and Clerodendrum serratum (Root) Extracts in Experimental Animal Model

Abstract

Renal disorders associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and nephrotoxicity remain a major clinical challenge, necessitating the search for effective and safer nephroprotective agents from natural sources. This review focuses on the comparative renoprotective effects of Allium cepa (onion bulb) and Clerodendrum serratum (root) extracts in experimental animal models of kidney injury. Allium cepa is rich in quercetin, flavonoids, and sulfur-containing compounds with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, whereas Clerodendrum serratum contains phenolics, diterpenoids, and sterols known for anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective, and tissue-restorative actions. Experimental studies indicate that both extracts significantly mitigate nephrotoxicity by normalizing serum biochemical parameters such as creatinine, urea, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Additionally, both plants enhance endogenous antioxidant defenses (SOD, CAT, GSH) while reducing lipid peroxidation (MDA) in renal tissues. Histopathological analysis reveals that the extracts offer remarkable protection against tubular degeneration, glomerular damage, and inflammatory infiltration. Comparative findings suggest that while Allium cepa exhibits stronger antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential due to its high quercetin content, Clerodendrum serratum shows powerful anti-inflammatory and nephrorestorative effects linked to its phytoconstituents. Together, the results support the therapeutic potential of these plants individually and comparatively in preventing chemically induced renal injury.

Keywords: Allium cepa; Clerodendrum serratum; Renoprotective activity; Nephrotoxicity; Oxidative stress; Antioxidant enzymes.