Abstract

NEPHROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTHUS ACIDUS FRUIT AGAINST GENTAMICIN INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS

Vaishnavi T.*, Harsha P.V. and Ashoka Shenoy M.

ABSTRACT

Nephrotoxicity is defined as the rapid deterioration in kidney function due to the toxic effects of drugs and chemicals. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of Phyllanthus acidus fruit extract against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Previous biochemical analysis has demonstrated that extracts of Phyllanthus acidus possess high antioxidant activities and contains active constituents such as phenolic, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides. From earlier reported study the doses of Phyllanthus acidus fruit extract was selected as 125mg/kg and 250mg/kg. Albino wistar rats (200-220g) of either sex were used for the experiment. In the present study Phyllanthus acidus fruit extract and the standard (selenium 6mg/kg, p.o) were given orally. Urinary and serum biochemical parameters, kidney weight and histopathology were evaluated in the study. Both the low (125mg/kg) and high dose (250mg/kg) of Phyllanthus acidus fruit extract showed dose dependent significant decrease in serum creatinine, urea, BUN and cholesterol levels and increase in urinary sodium and potassium when compared with toxic control. Histopathological analysis of kidney showed less necrosis in extract treated rats, thus confirming the nephroprotective effect. The result obtained was comparable with that of the standard drug Selenium. From the present study it was concluded that the Ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus acidus has nephroprotective activity against gentamicin induced toxicity.

Keywords: Phyllanthus acidus, Nephroprotective activity, Selenium, Gentamicin.