Nephroprotective Activity of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. Fruit Extract against Paracetamol Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Pharmacological research on the medicinal properties of phytochemicals has become mandatory to establish the claimed medicinal properties of herbs. Paracetamol (PCM) is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic agent which, at high doses, causes liver and kidney necrosis in man and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate nephroprotective activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. (HABH) whole fruit extract of in paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity in rats. In this study, the effects of hydro alcoholic extract of Benincasa hispida [200 mg per kg of body weight (mg/kg) and 400 mg/kg] on PCMinduced nephrotoxicity were examined. Rats were divided into four groups containing 6 rats each. The control group received distilled water while other groups were treated with PCM alone (750 mg/kg), 750 mg/kg PCM+200 mg/kg extract (PCM+ 200-extract), and 750 mg/kg PCM+400 mg/kg extract (PCM+400-extract), respectively, for seven consecutive days. Treatment with HABH extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg prevented the PCM-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative impairments of the kidney, as evidenced by a significantly reduced in kidney weight, blood urea, blood creatinine, urinary glucose, urinary potassium level and also increased body weight, urine volume, urinary creatinine and blood total protein level. HABH significantly increased the tissue GSH levels and reduced lipid peroxidation levels. Further it was confirmed by the histopathological observation that has the degenerative changes caused by paracetamol were also restored by treatment with HABH. In conclusion, these results suggested that HABH of the whole fruit possess nephroprotective activity against paracetamol induced kidney damage.