Nephroprotective and curative effects of Ficus religiosa latex extract against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure

Context: Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) is widely planted in the tropics. Its chemical constituents include tannin, saponin gluanol acetate, b-sitosterol, leucoanthocyanidin and leucoanthocyanin which are used for the treatment of pain, inflammation, impotence, menstrual disturbances, uterine tonic and urine related problems. Objective: To determine the possible nephroprotective and curative effects of F. religiosa latex methanol extract against cisplatin induced acute renal failure. Materials and methods: Methanol extract was obtained by maceration process. Rats were divided in five groups. Group 1 was administered acacia (2% w/v) of 5 ml/kg throughout the experiment; group 2 was treated with single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg i.p.) on the 1st day; group 3 (200 mg/kg p.o.) of extract control for the 1st to 10th day, group 4 (200 mg/kg p.o.) of extract from the 1st to 10th day and a single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on 11th day while group 5 received the same dose of cisplatin on day 1 and extract (200 mg/kg p.o.) from the 7th to 16th day. Results: Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of glycoside, alkaloids, tannins (phenolic compounds), flavonoids and amino acids. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of the extract were 31.75 +/- 0.12 and 18.35 +/- 0.48 mg/ml, respectively. The cisplatin-treated group 2 showed significant changes; renal functions, biochemical parameters and histopathology were significantly (**p<0.01) recovered by 200 mg/kg curative and protective groups. Discussion and conclusion: These findings demonstrated that F. religiosa latex and constituents have excellent nephroprotective and curative activities and thus have great potential as a source for natural health products.