Bilal Muhammad Hassan, Bibi Iram
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60000, Pakistan.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Jan 31;340:119225. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.119225. Epub 2024 Dec 9.
Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze of the family Amaranthaceae has been extensively used in traditional medicinal practices in Brazil and India for its reputed efficacy in promoting diuresis, as well as treating wounds, inflammation, postnatal symptoms, diarrhea, and cough. Its selection for this study was driven not only by its ethnomedicinal significance but also by its rich phytochemical composition, including bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, which are known to exhibit nephroprotective and diuretic effects. Additionally, while many species from the Amaranthaceae family have demonstrated similar therapeutic properties, A. brasiliana remains underexplored in this context. Therefore, this research aimed to scientifically evaluate its potential nephroprotective and diuretic activities, providing a pharmacological basis for its traditional uses.
This experiment was designed to determine nephroprotective effect against cisplatin-induced kidney injury and diuretic effect of Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) in rats. This study also aimed to evaluate the toxicity of plant's extract by performing acute and sub-acute toxicity trials.
In current study, the nephroprotective effect of aqueous-ethanol extract of A. brasiliana was evaluated after induction of kidney injury with cisplatin. Extract was given in three doses as 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. A diuretic activity was also performed by comparing results with control and standard (furosemide). Extract was given in three doses as 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. A 14 day trial for acute toxicity assessment was performed at doses 2000 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg, whereas a 28 day trial for sub-acute toxicity assessment was performed at doses 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. The biological active ingredients were identified and determined using HPLC technique.
The aqueous-ethanol extract of A. brasiliana (ABAE) safeguarded the rats from toxic effects of cisplatin. This extract also enhanced urine output. The protective effect of ABAE increased with increasing dose and produced maximum nephroprotective effect and diuresis at a dose 300 mg/kg. The outcomes from acute toxicity trials suggested that LD lied beyond 3000 mg/kg, and no antagonizing effects occurred in sub-acute toxicity trials at doses 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. ABAE posed no toxicities on kidney, liver, and heart tissues as evident from histopathological, hematological, and serum biochemical analysis. HPLC-DAD analysis of ABAE indicated the presence of betanin, kaempherol, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid and oxalic acid.
These results demonstrate an abundant supply of bioactive chemicals found in A. brasiliana (L.) extracts, which should be taken into account to improve renal functions with fewer negative effects.
苋科的巴西莲子草在巴西和印度的传统医学实践中被广泛使用，因其在促进利尿以及治疗伤口、炎症、产后症状、腹泻和咳嗽方面的显著功效而闻名。选择其进行本研究不仅是因为其民族药用价值，还因其丰富的植物化学成分，包括黄酮类、皂苷和生物碱等生物活性化合物，已知这些化合物具有肾保护和利尿作用。此外，虽然苋科的许多物种都表现出类似的治疗特性，但在此背景下巴西莲子草仍未得到充分研究。因此，本研究旨在科学评估其潜在的肾保护和利尿活性，为其传统用途提供药理学依据。
本实验旨在确定巴西莲子草对顺铂诱导的大鼠肾损伤的肾保护作用及其利尿作用。本研究还旨在通过进行急性和亚急性毒性试验来评估植物提取物的毒性。
在本研究中，在用顺铂诱导肾损伤后评估了巴西莲子草水乙醇提取物的肾保护作用。提取物以75mg/kg、150mg/kg和300mg/kg三种剂量给药。还通过与对照和标准品（呋塞米）比较结果来进行利尿活性实验。提取物以75mg/kg、150mg/kg和300mg/kg三种剂量给药。在2000mg/kg和3000mg/kg剂量下进行了为期14天的急性毒性评估试验，而在250mg/kg、500mg/kg和1000mg/kg剂量下进行了为期28天的亚急性毒性评估试验。使用HPLC技术鉴定和测定生物活性成分。
巴西莲子草水乙醇提取物（ABAE）保护大鼠免受顺铂的毒性作用。该提取物还增加了尿量。ABAE的保护作用随着剂量增加而增强，在300mg/kg剂量下产生最大的肾保护作用和利尿作用。急性毒性试验结果表明LD超过3000mg/kg，在250mg/kg、500mg/kg和1000mg/kg剂量的亚急性毒性试验中未出现拮抗作用。从组织病理学、血液学和血清生化分析来看，ABAE对肾脏、肝脏和心脏组织没有毒性。ABAE的HPLC-DAD分析表明存在甜菜红素、山奈酚、没食子酸、对香豆酸和草酸。
这些结果表明巴西莲子草提取物中含有丰富的生物活性化学物质，在改善肾功能且副作用较少方面应予以考虑。
