Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences Future Natural Products 2783-4662 11 1 2026 10 20 Aqueous Fruit Extract of Telfairia occidentalis Attenuates Nickel-Chloride-Induced Renal Oxidative Stress and Dysfunction in Wistar Rats 16 21 10.34172/fnp.345 EN Edobor Obayuwana https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1829-5373 Endurance Osakioduwa Imafidon https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0224-8783 Joseph Raymond Enoghase https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4603-6853 Martha Odion Obayuwana https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3242-3456 Ubor Wilfred Oghoghomena https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2138-4581 Journal Article 10.34172/fnp.345 2025 11 20 2026 07 13 Introduction: Nickel chloride (NiCl₂) is an environmental toxicant that induces oxidative stress (OS) and renal dysfunction. Natural products with antioxidant properties, such as Telfairia occidentalis, may provide protective effects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the nephroprotective potential of T. occidentalis aqueous fruit extract against NiCl₂-induced renal toxicity in adult Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, NiCl₂ (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), T. occidentalis + NiCl₂, and T. occidentalis only groups (n = 6 each). T. occidentalis aqueous fruit extract was orally administered by gavage at 200 mg/kg once daily. Then, body weight, kidney weight, renal function indices (urea and creatinine), serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), OS markers (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione [GSH], malondialdehyde [MDA]), and kidney histology underwent assessment. Finally, data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference post hoc test. Results: NiCl₂ exposure significantly reduced body weight and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH) while increasing MDA levels and renal biomarkers (urea, creatinine, sodium, and chloride) compared with controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, histopathology revealed glomerular distortion, widened Bowman’s space, tubular necrosis, and vascular congestion (blood vessels). Ultimately, the co-administration of T. occidentalis extract substantially improved antioxidant status, normalized renal biomarkers, and preserved renal histoarchitecture when compared to control animals. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of T. occidentalis effectively mitigated NiCl₂-induced nephrotoxicity through antioxidant and cytoprotective mechanisms, suggesting that T. occidentalis may serve as a natural protective agent against heavy-metal-induced renal damage.