NEPHROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MENTHA LONGIFOLIA AGAINST CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS: A BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the n ephro protective activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Mentha longifolia ( ML ) against cyclopho sphamide induced nephrotoxicity in experimental rats . The Albino Wistar rats of either sex were divided in to five groups of six animals each . Group 1 and group 2 served as normal and toxic control group respectively . Other groups treated with Men tha longifolia leaf extract ( 500mg / kg, p . o ) alone, low ( 250mg / kg, p . o ) and high ( 500mg / kg, p . o ) dose of Mentha longifolia . Nephro toxicity was induced by administering cyclophosphamide ( 200 mg / kg, i . p .) single injection on first day of experimental period followed by administration of Mentha longifolia ( 250 and 500 mg / kg, p . o .) continuously for 10 days . The general observations and mortality were measured . Cyclophosphamide administration significantly ( p < 0 . 05 ) decreased the levels of antioxidant markers suc h as superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) , catalase ( CAT ) and increased lipid peroxidation ( LPO ) . Cyclophosphamide elevated the levels of biomarker enzymes like Albumin ( ALB ) , Creatinine ( CTN ) and Total protein ( TP ) . Treatment with Mentha longifolia significantly ( p < 0 . 05 ) reversed the sta tus of serum biomarkers and oxidative enzymes in cyclophosphamide induced nephro toxicity . Potential nephro protective effect of Mentha longifolia was supported by histopathological examination that reduced severity of cellular damage of the renal epithelial cell . The biochemical and histopathology reports support the nephro protective effect of Mentha longifolia which could be attributed to antioxid ant activity .