Effect of fumaria officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in New Zealand rabbits

Fumaria officinalis is one of the herbal medicines used in Iran extensively. There are many useful properties recognized for this plant, but there is no information about its side effects especially in long term and at high doses. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of F. officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on the Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations as indicators of kidney function. Thirty adult males of New Zealand rabbits were chosen randomly and were divided into three groups of ten. The control group did not receive any drug. Two experimental groups received 200 and 400 mg/kg of F. officinalis extract for 28 days (groups two and three, respectively). In day 28, blood samples were taken and samplings were done, (BUN) and creatinine concentrations were assayed by enzymatic methods with spectrophotometer. In the present study, F. officinalis hydroalcoholic extract administration increased BUN and serum creatinine concentrations significantly in group 1, but BUN decreased and serum creatinine increased significantly in group 2 (P<0.05). It was concluded that high doses of hydroalcoholic extract of F. officinalis can have detrimental effects on renal and hepatic function (the effects of this plant on herpetic function needs to more researches) but in medium doses cause renal failure.