Polyphenolic extract of Piper nigrum inhibits sodium oxalate induced oxidative stress in rat kidney

Abstract

Natural antioxidants can be therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of nephrolithiasis because of the presence of phyto-compounds. Polyphenolic extract of Piper nigrum (Piperaceae) fruits, was investigated for antioxidant potential against sodium oxalate induced oxidative imbalance. The results were also compared with a standard polyherbal drug for nephrolithiasis, cystone. The kidney of female Wistar rats treated with sodium oxalate at different concentrations showed significant increase in lipid peroxidation (208–619%) and decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase (82–25%) and catalase (88–37%). Furthermore, sodium oxalate also caused decrease in reduced glutathione content in rat kidney (84–35%). However, the co-incubation of extract and sodium oxalate showed significant protection in concentration-dependent manner. The results of the present study concluded that P. nigrum can be used in neutraceuticals and food industry for antioxidant activity, however, further detailed studies at the cellular level are needed.