Histoprotective Efficacy of Olea europaea Leaf Extract Against Sodium Benzoate-Induced Hepato-Renal Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Sodium benzoate (SB) is a widely used food preservative that causes dose-dependent tissue toxicity upon high or prolonged exposure. Olea europaea leaf extract (OLE) contains a broad spectrum of phenolic compounds with well-recognized antioxidant and cytoprotective properties.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective efficacy of hydroethanolic Olea europaea leaf extract (OLE) against Sodium Benzoate (SB)-induced hepatic and renal histopathological damage in male Wistar rats.
Methods: Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six equal groups (n = 6/group) and treated daily via oral gavage for 45 consecutive days: Control (distilled water, 1 mL/rat), OLE alone (200 mg/kg b.wt.), SB100 (100 mg/kg b.wt.), SB100 + OLE (100 mg/kg SB + 200 mg/kg OLE), SB200 (200 mg/kg b.wt.), and SB200 + OLE (200 mg/kg SB + 200 mg/kg OLE). At the end of the experimental period, liver and kidney tissues were collected and processed for histopathological evaluation to assess structural alterations and lesion severity.
Results: Administration of SB produced dose-dependent histological lesions in both hepatic and renal tissues. Hepatic alterations were characterized by hepatocellular necrosis, intersinusoidal edema, nuclear pyknosis, and extensive vacuolar degeneration. Renal damage manifested as periglomerular edema, shrinkage of glomerular tufts, tubular dilatation, hemorrhage, and epithelial necrosis. Co-treatment with OLE (200 mg/kg) attenuated the severity of these pathological changes, markedly reducing hepatocellular degeneration and preserving tubular and glomerular structural integrity.
Conclusion: Co-administration of hydroethanolic Olea europaea leaf extract significantly reduces the severity of SB-induced histopathological lesions in hepatic and renal tissues of male Wistar rats, indicating its potential protective role against chemical additive-induced organ injury.