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

Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) is widely planted in the tropics. Its chemical constituents include tannin, saponin gluanol acetate, β-sitosterol, leucoanthocyanidin and leucoanthocyanin which are used for the treatment of pain, inflammation, impotence, menstrual disturbances, uterine tonic and urine related problems.

To determine the possible nephroprotective and curative effects of F. religiosa latex methanol extract against cisplatin induced acute renal failure.

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.

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 µg/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.

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.