In vitro and In vivo Studies on Nephroprotective and Antiurolithic Effect of Biophytum sensitivum in Different Toxicity Models

Abstract

In this present study, we have evaluated the nephroprotective and antiurolithic activity of ethanol extract of whole plant B. sensitivum by selecting experimental models which included gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicty, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats. Phytochemical screening indicated the presences of carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, proteins, aminoacids, falvonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds and fixed oils in ethanol extract of B. sensitivum. Our study also proved that this drug possess considerable amount of flavonoid and phenolic compounds. In vitro antioxidant and antiurolithic study illustrated that EEBS possessed significant free radical scavenging activity and excellent inhibition on nucleation and aggregation of stone forming constituents in urine, thereby confirming its lithotriptic effect. Image analysis of CaOx crystals using microscopic assay, further confirmed its lithotriptic activity. Our study also demonstrated cytoprotective activity of EEBS. Cytotoxicity and DNA fragmentation were observed only at high concentration. Supplementation of EEBS to drug induced nephrotoxic and urolithiasis rats significantly restored changes in body weight, kidney weight, urine pH, indicating its nephroprotective and antiurolithic activity. Diuretic effects were observed in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis model. Increased urine output promotes flushing out of stone forming constituents through urine. Prevention of proteinuria, albuminuria and hypercalciuria in gentamicin and cisplatin-treated rats, hypermagnesuria in gentamicin-treated rats, indicating its nephroprotective activity. Hypocalciuric and hypermagnesuric effect observed in the ethylene+EEBS-treated animals, clearly indicating its antiurolithic activity. Thus the results obtained from nephroprotective and antiurolithic investigation provided sufficient scientific evidences about the use of B. sensitivum for the treatment of drug induced kidney injury.