Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The current work was aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective potential of Butea monosperma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Butea monosperma was collected from local forest of Jabalpur and extracted with ethanol. Healthy adult male Wistar albino rats between 5 and 6 months of age and weighing about 150-200 g were used for the study. Acute toxicity studies were performed to determine dose of extract. Nephrotoxicity was induced by gentamicin. Animals were divided in four groups in which first group served as positive control, second group as gentamicin treated toxic control; animals of group three and four were treated with Butea monosperma extract. Extract was administered to animals via oral route. Serum creatinine, serum urea, and blood urea nitrogen were estimated. Body weight was also determined. Histopathological studies were performed to access gross anatomical changes in animals. RESULTS: The extract of Butea monosperma was found to be rich in flavonoids, polyphenolics, and alkaloids. Urine creatinine, serum urea, and blood urea nitrogen were found to be significantly (P < 0.001) increased in rats treated with only gentamicin; whereas, treatment with the ethanolic extract of leaf of Butea monosperma reversed the effect of gentamicin indicating nephroprotective activity. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that ethanolic extract of Butea monosperma is a good source of phytochemicals. The phytoconstituents flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids present in the extracts may be responsible for antioxidant activity. By the virtue of antioxidant activity, Butea monosperma demonstrated nephroprotective activity.