Phytoremedial Effect of Pleurotus cornucopiae (Oyster Mushroom) against Sodium Arsenite Induced Toxicity in Charles Foster Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the therapeutic role of the ethanolic extract of Pleurotus cornucopiae on sodium arsenite induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Sodium arsenite at the dose of 8 mg·kg–1 body weight orally caused renal damage in rats as manifested by the significant rise in serum levels of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine level compared with control. Ethanolic extracts of P. cornucopiae (400 mg·kg–1 body weight per day) was administered orally for 30 days to sodium arsenite pre-treated rats. The results show significant decrease in the serum urea, uric acid and creatinine levels in comparison to the arsenic treated denotes the nephroprotective effect of P. cornucopiae against sodium arsenite induced toxicity. Furthermore, it also possesses antioxidant effect as lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels decreased in P. cornucopiae treated group in comparison to arsenic treated group. Thus, the present study reveals that P. cornucopiae possesses nephroprotective as well as antioxidant property against arsenic induced toxicity.