Nephroprotective activity of Pisonia aculeata L. leaf extract against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in experimental rodents

Abstract

Pisonia aculeata L. (Nyctaginaceae), commonly called Devil's Claws or Pullback, is a folk medicinal plant of India. Herbal medicines due to lesser/no side effect, are being accepted by the society increasingly. Here, we investigated the protective effects of ethanol extract of P. aculeata leaves on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) co-administered to vehicle and extract (200, 400, 600 mg/kg)-fed rats every 5^th day for 25 days. Serum level of urea, uric acid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phospholipid and cholesterol increased, whereas urine urea, uric acid, creatinine, creatinine clearance rate was reduced in cisplatin control group. Cisplatin also negatively alters electrolyte balance, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and redox balance significantly. Treatment with extract for 21 days exerted beneficial effect and ameliorated urine and serum biochemical parameter to normal. Extracts induced a rise in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, and ameliorated level of different enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants positively, whereas lipid peroxidation decreased significantly. Ethanol extract (400 and 600 mg/kg) ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and other damaging effects caused by cisplatin evidenced by the change in its intrinsic biochemical/antioxidant properties. Taking into account these results, it can be assumed that P. aculeata leaves could be a future key candidate which may maximize the clinical use of cisplatin in the treatment of different cancer without nephrotoxicity.