Serum Biochemical Evidence of Hepatorenal Protective Effects of n-Hexane Extract of Terminalia catappa Nuts in Metabolic Syndrome-Induced Wistar Rats

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is associated with hepatic and renal dysfunction driven by hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, oxidative stress, and electrolyte imbalance. Terminalia catappa nuts (TCN) are rich in lipophilic bioactive compounds with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the effects of the n-hexane extract of TCN on serum biochemical markers of hepatic and renal function in Wistar rats with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 8): negative control, metabolic syndrome control, standard drug (metformin + atorvastatin), and TCN-treated group (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day). Metabolic syndrome was induced using a high-fat and high-sugar diet. Serum liver enzymes, serum proteins, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, and electrolytes were analysed. Data were evaluated using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: The metabolic syndrome control group exhibited significant increases in ALP (148±0.98 U/L), ALT (23.4±0.25 U/L), AST (22.0±0.01 U/L), urea (5.2±0.49 mmol/L), creatinine (92.8±1.22 μmol/L), and bilirubin (10.4±0.25 μmol/L), alongside reduced total protein (65.0±0.01 g/L) and albumin (31.0±0.01 g/L). TCN treatment ameliorated these alterations. At 200 mg/kg, ALP, ALT, and AST levels decreased to 138±1.22 U/L, 20.6±0.98 U/L, and 17.8±0.49 U/L, respectively, with urea and creatinine reducing to 4.8±0.49 mmol/L and 86.2±0.74 μmol/L. The 400 mg/kg dose further improved these markers (ALP: 134±1.71 U/L; ALT: 17.0±0.01 U/L; urea: 4.2±0.74 mmol/L; creatinine: 81.4±0.74 μmol/L). At 800 mg/kg, maximum efficacy was observed, with ALP (127±1.22 U/L), ALT (12.6±0.98 U/L), urea (3.6±0.49 mmol/L), and creatinine (73.0±1.22 μmol/L) approaching baseline levels. TCN restored electrolyte balance across all doses, improved protein synthesis (TP: 68.2±0.49 g/L, ALB: 37.8±0.74 g/L), and reduced bilirubin to 6.8±0.49 μmol/L at the highest dose. Conclusion: The n-hexane extract of TCN demonstrates dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects, as evidenced by improvements in serum biochemical and electrolyte markers in metabolic syndrome-induced Wistar rats.