Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Ruiz and Pav. on diclofenac-induced toxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Ruiz and Pav. (also known as "Pájaro bobo") is known for its medicinal properties, including antiulcer, antiasthmatic, leishmanicidal, antipyretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate its hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects using a rat model of diclofenac-induced toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We administered three different doses of the methanolic extract of (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day orally) and compared them with the commercial medicine silymarin (100 mg/kg orally). The rats received the extracts for 5 days, and on days 3 and 4, 1 h after receiving the extracts, diclofenac was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The animals were euthanized 48 h after the last diclofenac injection, and blood samples were obtained to measure biochemical parameters related to liver and kidney function, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and urea. Kidney and liver tissues were preserved in 10% formaldehyde and sent for histopathological analysis.

RESULTS

The results show that has hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects. These effects are verified by the lower blood levels of ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine compared to the diclofenac group, which exhibited elevated biochemical parameters. In addition, histopathological analysis showed that the groups that received did not display necrosis or infiltration, which were observed in the diclofenac group.

CONCLUSION

The methanolic extract of has hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects, with the highest protective activity observed at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day.