Abstract

NEPHROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PIMPINELLA HEYNEANA IN GENTAMICIN INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RAT

Shabeeba Abubucker, Suresh Velayutham*, Deepan Natarajan and Senthilkumar Natesan

ABSTRACT

Pimpinella heyneana (D.C.), a medicinal plant native to tropical regions including Bangladesh, East Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, has been traditionally used to treat cirrhosis, urinary tract disorders, and abdominal ailments. Known for its antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory properties, this study aimed to scientifically evaluate its folklore applications and assess its nephroprotective potential. Nephrotoxicity was induced in an animal model using Gentamicin (GM, 80 mg/kg). Two doses of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella heyneana (AEPH; 200 and 400 mg/kg) were administered daily for 14 days. Blood and kidney samples were collected post-treatment for analysis. Phytochemical screening of AEPH confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, saponins, and terpenes, while reducing sugars and alkaloids were absent. Gentamicin -induced nephrotoxicity significantly elevated serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in control rats, whereas P. heyneana supplementation markedly reduced BUN levels. Furthermore, GM administration decreased renalsuperoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, suggesting oxidative stress as a key contributor to nephrotoxicity. Treatment with P. heyneana effectively restored these antioxidant enzyme levels. The findings demonstrate that Pimpinella heyneana exhibits statistically significant nephroprotective effects against Gentamicin -induced renal damage in rats, likely mediated through its antioxidant properties.

Keywords: Gentamicin, antioxidant, Pimpinella heyneana (D.C.), nephrotoxicity.