Role of Tribulus terrestris (Linn.) (Zygophyllacea) against mercuric chloride induced nephrotoxicity in mice, Mus musculus (Linn.).

The present study investigates the influence of methanolic fraction (MF) of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract on the kidney tissues of mercury intoxicated mice, Mus musculus. At median-lethal dose of mercuric chloride (12.9 mg/kg body weight), the whole kidney tissue showed an increased level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and simultaneously a decreased level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH). These parameters reached to near normal after administration of fruit extracts of T. terrestris for 7 days. The results suggested that the oral administration of methanolic fraction of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract at dose 6 mg/kg body weight provided protection against the mercuric chloride induced toxicity in the mice.