The Renoprotective Effect of Methanolic Extract of Portulaca Oleracea on Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the renoprotective effect of Portulaca oleracea on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic wistar rats. Twenty four (24) female wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups - Group A were given no treatment and served as the control group; Group B was given only a single dose of cisplatin (2ml/kg) and served as the cisplatin control group. Groups C and D were orally given 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of portulaca oleracea (MEPO) respectively 6 hours after cisplatin injection (2ml/kg) . Groups E and F were orally given 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight of MEPO respectively 6hours before cisplatin injection (2ml/kg) for 7 days. The effect of the treatment on relative kidney weight, serum creatinine level, serum uric acid and histoarchitecture of the rat kidney were accessed. Results showed significantly decreased serum creatinine levels (p<0.05) in rats treated with 400mg/kg b.wt. and 800mg/kg b.wt.  MEPO as compared with the cisplatin control group. Serum uric acid was significantly decreased  in groups C, D, E, and F when compared with control A. The relative average weight of the kidney increased significantly in all treated groups except group treated with 800mg/kg b.wt. MEPO 6hours before cisplatin. Kidney histological slides showed both recovery from and prevention of effects of induced toxicity at all treatment doses. Results suggest that Portulaca oleracea extract may be used to cure or prevent cisplatin-induced renal toxicity without any adverse effect; hence it can serve as a novel combination agent with cisplatin to limit renal injury.

Keywords: Cisplatin, portulaca oleracea, renoprotection, nephrotoxicity.