Evaluation of Launaea procumbens use in renal disorders: A rat model

Introduction Carbon tetrachloride exerts its toxicity in rat kidneys through oxidative stress. Launaea procumbens is used ethnopharmacologically in renal disorders Its methanolic, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane fractions were evaluated against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in rat Materials and Methods Among 16 groups, one was given CCl4 of 3 ml/kg body weight (30% in olive oil i p) twice a week for 4 weeks Others were orally fed with extracts (100, 200 mg/kg b w) or rutin (50 mg/kg b w.) after 48 h of CCl4 or 200 mg/kg b w. of extracts without CCl4-treatment twice a week for 4 weeks Results. CCl4 exposure led to a significant oxidative stress in kidneys which was remarkably attenuated with co-administration of various fractions and rutin thereby increased the level of CAT, POD, SOD, GSH, GSR, GST, GSH-Px. quinone reductase, while reduced the xanthine oxidase, gamma-GT, TEARS, H2O2, nitrite, tissue proteins and DNA fragmentation% Ameliorated effects of fractions and rutin were also recorded for the function of kidneys and the level of urobilinogen, urea, albumin, creatinine, RBC and WBC in urine were decreased Serum level of creatinine, urobilinogen, BUN, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin and globulin were decreased while total proteins, albumin and creatinine clearance were increased with fractions and rutin Protective effects of rutin and fractions were also evident on histopathology by reducing glomerular atrophy, tubular degeneration, congestion of blood capillaries, necrosis of epithelium and edema Similarly body weight was increased while kidney and relative kidney weight was decreased with co-administration of fractions and rutin Conclusion It is suggested that Launaea procumbens effectively protect kidneys against the CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats, through antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects of flavonoids and saponins present in the fractions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd All rights reserved