Abstract:
In the present study the methanolic extract of C.occidentalisleaves (COLM) was evaluated for its antioxidant and nephroprotective activities. The phytoconstituents of the leaves extract was also investigated. The antioxidant activity of the extract was measured using 1,1- diphenyl-2- picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay.Nephroprotective activity of COLMwas assessed using Wistar albino rats. Seventy rats were divided randomly into seven groups of ten rats each; untreated control group, nephrotoxic control group, rats were injected with gentamicin only at a dose of 80mg/kg intraperitoneally (IP) for 8 days.Standard drug group; were injected with gentamicin (80mg/kg IP), and at the same time they received standard drug silymarin at a dose of 100mg/kg orally for 8 days. Low and high doses of the plant groups; rats were injected with gentamicin (80mg/kg IP) with concurrent administration of C. occidentalis leaves methanolic extract at a dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg orally for 8 days. Toxicity groups; rats were given C. occidentalis leaves extract only at a dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg orally for 8 days. The levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, and total protein in the blood were used to assess kidney function. Blood constituents, and relative kidney weight were also measured. Phytoconstituents of COLM comprise tannins, saponins, coumarins, and alkaloid as active components and devoid of flavonoids, and sterols. COLM exhibited moderate antioxidant activity (50 ± 0.04%) compared to a standard antioxidant agent propyl gallate(93 ± 0.01%) using DPPH radical scavenging assay.Administration of COLM at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 8 days exhibited significant (P < 0.05) lowering of the levels of urea compared to the gentamicin group. The levels of creatinine, uric acid and total protein were insignificantly (P > 0.05) changes at day 8 in treated groups compared with normal control. COLM showed no significant differences to that observed by standard drug Silymarin. Relative weight of kidneys was significantly increased in treated groupexcept toxicity groups compared to control. The results concluded that the methanolic extract of Cassia occidentalis leaves might possess nephroprotective activity in rats. This effect may be due to antioxidant activity or the chemical constituents of the plant.
