Amelioration of nitrobenzene-induced nephrotoxicity by the ethanol extract of the herb Euphorbia hirta

Articles

Abstract
Pharmacognosy Research,2011,3,3,201-207.
Published:September 2011
Type:Original Article
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

Subramanian Suganya1, Dominic Sophia2, Chinthamony Arul Raj2, Muthaiyan Ahalliya Rathi1, Lakshmanan Thirumoorthi2, Periyasamy Meenakshi1, Dugganaboyana Guru Kumar1, Velliyur Kanniyapan Gopalakrishnan3

1 Department of Biochemistry, Karpagam Arts and Science College, Coimbatore - 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India

2 Department of Biochemistry, Karpagam University, Coimbatore - 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India

3 Department of Biochemistry, Karpagam Arts and Science College, Coimbatore - 641 021, Tamil Nadu; Department of Biochemistry, Karpagam University, Coimbatore - 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract:

Background: Euphorbia hirta (L.) (Euphorbiaceae) is a very popular herb amongst practitioners of traditional medicine and used in the treatment of female disorders, respiratory ailments, tumors, jaundice, digestive problems, wounds, etc. We aimed to evaluate the protective effect of E. hirta against nitrobenzene-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Materials and Methods: The nephroprotective activity of the ethanol extract of E. hirta (400 mg/kg body weight) was studied in nitrobenzene-induced albino rats (1000 mg/kg body weight). The activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), total thiols and vitamin C in the kidney tissues were determined. Histopathologic investigation was performed in the kidney tissue samples. Results: Nitrobenzene administration significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced the lipid peroxidation and significantly (P < 0.05) depleted the levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, GSH, total thiols and vitamin C. Treatment with the ethanol extract of E. hirta significantly normalized the antioxidant levels. The nephroprotective activity was also supported by histopathologic studies of kidney tissue. Conclusion: The results indicate that the ethanol extract of E. hirta ameliorates renal dysfunction and could be used as an effective protector against nitrobenzene-induced nephrotoxicity, primarily through its antioxidant capacity.

PDF
Current View
Click here to download the PDF file.
Images

Amelioration of nitrobenzene-induced nephrotoxicity by the ethanol extract of the herb Euphorbia hirta

Keywords