The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2026; 15(3):138-146 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2026.15305

Research Article

Comparative effects of salbutamol, montelukast, prednisolone, and combination therapy on renal function and oxidative stress in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rats

Ogechukwu Emmanuel Osasogie Aloamaka¹ , Frederick Oseyomon Ebojele¹

Ogechukwu Emmanuel Osasogie Aloamaka,Frederick Oseyomon Ebojele

1. Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 9th March, 2026 / Accepted: 20th June, 2026 / Published : 6th July, 2026

Abstract

Background: In addition to hyperresponsive airways and reversible airflow restrictions, bronchial asthma is also associated with systemic oxidative stress, which can negatively affect extra-pulmonary organs, including the kidneys. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of salbutamol, montelukast, prednisolone, and their combinations on renal oxidative stress, antioxidant status, renal function indices, electrolyte balance, and kidney histology in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: A total of 64 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to eight groups: the negative control group, the positive control group, the salbutamol group, the montelukast group, the prednisolone group, the salbutamol/prednisolone group, and the prednisolone/montelukast group. The asthma was induced using ovalbumin sensitization and aerosol challenge. A 28-day course of oral treatment was administered. Upon completion of the study, serum and kidney samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, antioxidant enzymes, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, and histopathological changes. Results: Ovalbumin sensitisation produced renal oxidative and structural injury, the untreated asthmatic group showing glomerular distortion, tubular damage, inflammatory infiltration, and elevated malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. Antioxidant responses were treatment-specific: salbutamol raised superoxide dismutase (1.16±0.09) and catalase activities (0.50±0.04), while salbutamol/prednisolone reduced both (0.58±0.03 and 0.26±0.01, respectively) (p<0.05); glutathione peroxidase was largely unchanged (p>0.05). The salbutamol/montelukast and prednisolone/montelukast combinations attenuated lipid peroxidation (0.55±0.07; 0.25±0.06, respectively), and hydrogen peroxide fell across most regimens. Serum changes were modest, reflecting altered tubular ion handling rather than overt renal failure. Histologically, prednisolone afforded the strongest single-agent protection and montelukast moderate protection, with prednisolone/montelukast yielding the best overall preservation of renal architecture. Conclusion: As a result of these findings, it appears that asthma exacerbates renal oxidative stress and that drug treatment has variable effects on the kidney. Combinations containing montelukast attenuated oxidative injury comparatively better than prednisolone/montelukast, whereas prednisolone/montelukast was associated with less favorable renal biochemical changes.