Evaluation of Hepato-protective and Nephron-Protective Potential of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham. Against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Toxicity in Sprague Dawley Rats

Background: Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham (En) is one of the members of Euphorbiaceae family that is rich in phytochemicals including flavonoids, triterpenes and polyphenolics.

Purpose: To evaluate hepato-nephronprotective potential of Euphorbia nivulia.

Study Design: Sprague Dawley rats were used as animal models in the study.

Methods: En hydro alcoholic extract was standardized and managed in high dose (300 mgkg−1 body weight (BW) and low dose (150 mgkg−1 BW) to Sprague Dawley rats, administered with CCl4 (1mlkg−1BW). Silymarin (50 mgkg−1 BW) was taken as positive control. The treatments were given thrice a week. Consequently, blood and hepatic homogenates were collected after 4 weeks of treatment. While the situation of kidney was explored through measurement of serum creatinine, serum urea, sodium and albumin levels. Hepatic and renal samples of rats treated with both 150 and 300 mg/kg of the extract were used for tissue pathological study.

Results: En extract revealed dose dependent moderate level of shelter against CCl4 intoxicated hepato-nephrotoxicity as directed from the acquired results. The decrease of the albumin levels by the maximum dose of the extract exceeded similar to that attained with Silymarin, and the protecting effects of the extract against oxidative destruction were evaluated. Examination of serum show significant (p < 0.05) elevation in the level of aspartate transaminase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), alanine transaminase(ALT), whereas decline were noted for albumin in CCl4 treated rats. Histopathological cuts and damages were seen in hepatic cells and kidney of rats managed by CCl4. But, co-administration of En extract, dose dependently, improved the CCl4-carried hepatic harms in these limits.

Conclusion: These effects propose that the phyto-ingredients of En extract with known polyphenols were able to improve the oxidative stress brought along with CCl4 and may be a useful healing mediator to manage oxidative stress related disorders like hepato-nephro toxicity.