Effect of onions tunic extract on sodium oxalate-induced acute kidney injury

Abstract Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the global health concerns afflicting the human population and urolithiasis (kidney stone), especially the calcium oxalate stone is the most prominent amongst the stone formers with a huge recurrence rate. This study elucidates the ameliorative potential of the tunic of onions against Wistar kidney rats toxified with sodium oxalate. Ethylacetate extract of the tunic of onions otherwise regarded as Onions peel extract (OPE) in this study was prepared to get the flavonol-rich extracts. Adult male Wistar rats received 70 mg/kg body weight sodium oxalate with or without co-treatment with OPE, quercetin or cystone. Biochemical analyses were carried out on the plasma and urine, followed by a histopathological assessment of the kidney. Intoxication with sodium oxalate brought about electrolyte imbalance, nephrotic syndrome (high concentrations of total protein and albumin in the urine and low concentrations in the plasma) reduced renal function (low renal clearance of creatinine and urea) and damage to the kidney as well as fluid accumulation. Treatment with flavonol extract from onion tunic mitigated these deleterious changes as a result of sodium oxalate intoxication. The finding suggests that onion peel has the potential to prevent damage arising from oxalate toxicity in the kidney. Graphical Abstract