Channa striata Extract Dose-Dependently Improves Renal SOD and Histopathology in CCl4-Treated Wistar Rats

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced oxidative stress contributes to renal injury by disrupting endogenous antioxidant defenses and promoting histopathological alterations. Channa striata contains potentially bioactive constituents with antioxidant properties; however, its effects on renal antioxidant activity and tissue morphology during CCl₄ exposure remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of Channa striata extract on renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and histopathological alterations in CCl₄-exposed Wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 5): a normal control (K1), a CCl₄ control (K2), and three groups receiving CCl₄ alongside oral Channa striata extract at 100 (K3), 150 (K4), or 200 mg/kg body weight (K5) during a 14-day experimental period. Renal SOD activity was measured spectrophotometrically, while histopathological alterations were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Mean renal SOD activity was lower in K2 (11.17 ± 0.45 U/mL) than in K1 (22.10 ± 0.30 U/mL). Extract administration was associated with progressively higher SOD activity in K3, K4, and K5 (13.83 ± 0.35, 16.13 ± 0.35, and 18.77 ± 0.40 U/mL, respectively). The corresponding reported total histopathological scores were 3.40 ± 0.31, 2.60 ± 0.31, and 0.80 ± 0.31, compared with 5.20 ± 0.31 in K2. These findings indicate a descriptive dose-related pattern, with higher renal SOD activity and lower histopathological injury scores at increasing extract doses. Concurrent Channa striata extract administration may attenuate selected biochemical and morphological alterations during CCl₄ exposure, although statistical confirmation of the histopathological differences and dose-response trend remains necessary.