Nephroprotective Evaluation of Moringa oleifera & Beta vulgaris Leaves in Murine Methotrexate Induced Toxicity

Abstract

Introduction: Methotrexate has been used for treatment of multiple diseases. Chronic use of this drug can result in oxidative damage resulting in nephrotoxicity. Beta vulgaris and Moringa oleifera are well known herbs for their antioxidant properties, so they can have potential nephroprotective effect against MTX induced renal damage.

Aims & Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic role of Moringa oleifera and Beta vulgaris leaves against MTX induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Place and duration of study: Time duration of our research project was 6 months. It was carried out in PGMI Lahore and FPGMI, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore.

Material & Methods: 5 groups of 9 rats each were made. Group1 were maintained as healthy controls while Group II as diseased control Groups III, IV and V were administered daily p.o for 24 days 200mg /kg of Ethanolic Extract of Beta Vulgaris( EEBV),and 800 mg/kg Ethanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera (EEMO) and combination of extracts (100mg/kg EEBV+400mg/kg EEMO respectively. Nephrotoxicity was produced on 21^st day via single i/p route injection of 20mg/kg MTX in all groups except Group 1. RFTs were performed on days 1, 21 and 24^th day. Nephroprotection was determined by measuring serum urea, creatinine along with histopathological study of kidneys at study end.

Results: EEBV provided significant neproprotection in group 3 which had significantly lower levels of creatinine as compared to group 2 with p-value <0.001. The groups 4 and 5 had nonsignificant difference from group 2 with p-values 0.975 and 0.252. Further confirmation by histopathological examination of kidneys revealed group 3 to have improved status of kidney( normal kidney epithelium, normal tubules, mild congestion, mild necrosis) as compared to other groups with (distorted kidney epithelium ,dilated tubules ,moderate to severe congestion and necrosis).

Conclusion: Nephroprotective effect was shown by Beta vulgaris plant while Moringa oleifera plant extracts remained unable to show their protection against MTX induced nephrotoxicity.