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

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 CCl(4)-induced nephrotoxicity in rat.

Among 16 groups, one was given CCl(4) of 3ml/kg body weight (30% in olive oil i.p.) twice a week for 4 weeks. Others were orally fed with extracts (100, 200mg/kg b.w.) or rutin (50mg/kg b.w.) after 48h of CCl(4) or 200mg/kg b.w. of extracts without CCl(4)-treatment twice a week for 4 weeks.

CCl(4) 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, TBARS, H(2)O(2), 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.

It is suggested that Launaea procumbens effectively protect kidneys against the CCl(4)-induced oxidative damage in rats, through antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects of flavonoids and saponins present in the fractions.