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Bambusa vulgaris are plants associated with a myriad of medicinal uses in different parts of the world and its leaf is used in traditional Asian and African medicine to treat hepatitis, measles and renal disorders. This study sought to investigate the protective effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Bambusa vulgaris leaves on some pro- oxidants (cisplatin, sodium nitroprusside and FeSO4) induced nephrotoxicity in rats -in vitro. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Bambusa vulgaris leaves were prepared (1:100 w/v) and used for subsequent analysis. The antioxidant properties and inhibitory effect of the extracts on cisplatin, FeSO4 and SNP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats were determined - in vitro. The incubation of kidney homogenate in the presence of cisplatin and other prooxidants induced nephrotoxicity in rats by causing a marked elevation in kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) content. However, this damage was ameliorated by aqueous and methanolic extracts of Bambusa vulgaris leaves, suggesting its possible antioxidant and therapeutic properties. Also, the result revealed the highest free radical scavenging potentials, phenolic and flavonoid contents in the methanolic extract. Free radical scavenging potentials of the extracts were found to be proportional to their respective phenolic and flavonoid contents. The results suggest that methanol may be a good solvent  of extraction in the exploitation of the antioxidant property of Bambusa vulgaris leaves and  part of the mechanism through which the Bambusa vulgaris leaves protect against oxidative stress and some pro-oxidants induced nephrotoxicity may be through Fe2+-chelation, ABTS*, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities and reducing power. Thus, Bambusa vulgaris leaves could be used for the management of cisplatin toxicity and acute renal damage.
Keywords: Oxidative stress; Cisplatin, Nephrotoxicity, Antioxidants, Kidney and Bambusa vulgaris leaves.