Traditional extract of Pithecellobium dulce fruits protects mice against CCl(4) induced renal oxidative impairments and necrotic cell death.

The present study has been carried out to investigate the role of the aqueous extract of the fruits of Pithecellobium dulce (AEPD) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced renal oxidative injury in mice. HPLC analysis shows that AEPD contains phenolics, flavonoids and saponins as the major active components. Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were assayed to determine renal protective action of AEPD in CCl(4)-induced renal pathophysiology. Its antioxidant activity was determined by measuring radical scavenging activity, antioxidant enzymes activities, GSH content, protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation. In addition, FACS analysis, DNA fragmentation and histological studies were carried out to determine its effect in CCl(4) induced renal oxidative injury and cell death. CCl(4) exposure increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species production, decreased intracellular antioxidant defence, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, attenuated the intracellular ATP content and caused renal cell death mainly via the necrotic pathway as revealed by DNA fragmentation analysis. Treatment with AEPD both prior and post to the toxin exposure protected the organ from CCl(4) induced oxidative insult. Histological studies also support our results. Combining, results suggest that the protective role of AEPD against CCl(4) induced renal oxidative impairments is probably due to the antioxidative properties present in its active constituents.