Abstract
Background and objectives: Cucumis melo, of family Cucurbitaceae, has traditionally been used to treat variety of kidney disorders. However to best of our knowledge there is no scientific study available that validates its renaoprotective uses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate nephroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Cucumis melo seeds (CMHE) and to identify its phytoconstituents. Materials and Methods: HPLC was performed to identify key phytochemicals of CMHE. Gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, i.p) was administered to induce nephrotoxicity in Swiss albino mice for 8 days. Gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, i.p) and oral CMHE were co-administered to mice at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg to evaluate protective effects of CMHE. Normal control group mice were administered normal saline. Changes in body weights, biochemical and histopathological studies were conducted to establish nephroprotective effects of CMHE. Results: HPLC analysis indicated presence of quercetin, m-coumaric acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid in CMHE. Mice treated with CMHE showed significant increase in body weight and decrease in kidney weight as compared with toxic control group. Dose-dependent significant decrease in total blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum urea, and uric acid levels were observed in CMHE-treated groups as compared with toxic control group. Histopathological analysis of CMHE-treated groups showed improvement in kidney structures as compared with toxic control group. Conclusions: Biochemical, histopathological, and phytochemical screening of hydroalcoholic extract of Cucumis melo seeds suggest that it has nephroprotective potential. Furthermore, standardization of extract against identified phytochemicals, as well as long-term toxicological studies are suggested before commencement of clinical trials.
Highlights
Nephrotoxicity, one of the most common renal problems, may occur after exposure to variety of commonly used drugs and/or environmental toxins and can lead to temporary or permeant renal dysfunction [1]
Gentamicin-induced toxic effects were observed to be partially reversed in animals treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Cucumis melo seeds
The current study highlights the nephroprotective effect of Cucumis melo seeds, which is suggested to be due to the presence of multiple antioxidant constituents, leading to improvements in biochemical and histopathological aberrations induced by gentamicin
Summary
Nephrotoxicity, one of the most common renal problems, may occur after exposure to variety of commonly used drugs and/or environmental toxins and can lead to temporary or permeant renal dysfunction [1]. Gentamicin stimulates generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to renal damage [6]. It induces generation of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions from renal mitochondria [7], resulting in impairment of mitochondrial respiration and cation transport [8]. This study aimed to evaluate nephroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Cucumis melo seeds (CMHE) and to identify its phytoconstituents. Mice treated with CMHE showed significant increase in body weight and decrease in kidney weight as compared with toxic control group. Histopathological analysis of CMHE-treated groups showed improvement in kidney structures as compared with toxic control group. Conclusions: Biochemical, histopathological, and phytochemical screening of hydroalcoholic extract of Cucumis melo seeds suggest that it has nephroprotective potential. Standardization of extract against identified phytochemicals, as well as long-term toxicological studies are suggested before commencement of clinical trials
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