Nephroprotective effect of ethanol extract of Biophytum sensitivum (Linn.) DC in cisplatin-induced experimental renal damage in rats

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the nephroprotective and antioxidant activity of whole plant ethanol extract of Biophytum sensitivum Linn. DC (B. sensitivum; EEBS) in cisplatin induced-nephrotoxicity in Wistar albinorats. Animals were divided into five groups, containing six animals in each. A single dose of cisplatin (CDDP)8 mg/kg/day; i.p.was given to all groups on fifth day except normal control to induce nephrotoxicity in rats. Animals in Group I served as control, received 1 ml saline solution/day; i.p., for 9 days and Group II as CDDP-treated or nephrotoxic control. Group III received standard quercetin (50 mg/kg/day; p.o.); group IV received EEBS (250 mg/kg/day; p.o.) and Group V received EEBS (500 mg/kg/day; p.o.), for nine days. Several renal functional tests and injury markers such as body weight, water intake, urine volume and pH, urinary levels of total protein, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were measured. Serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, creatinine, total protein, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined. Antioxidant enzyme activities were also analyzed. The results revealed that co-administration of EEBS significantly reduced the urinary excretion of total protein and calcium. Serum concentration of BUN and creatinine were significantly lowered by treatment with EEBS. EEBS treatment produced significant increase in body weight, urine pH, and serum levels of total protein, calcium, sodium and antioxidant enzyme activities, compared to animals in group II. Hence, this study substantiated and confirmed the ethno-medical usefulness of B. sensitivum as nephroprotective and antioxidant agent.