Protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora caerulea aerial parts on cadmium chloride-induced renal dysfunction in male rats

Background and Aims: Passiflora caerulea has antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to assess the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora caerulea aerial parts on cadmium chloride-induced renal dysfunction in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 54 adults male Wistar rats 200±10 gr were divided into 6 groups (N=9). Control group, the sham group that received 0.2 ml/kg of distilled water as solvent. Renal Injury induction group: received 2 mg/kg cadmium chloride intraperitoneally (IP) for 21 days. Treatment groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, received 2 mg/kg cadmium chloride IP for 21 days, followed by 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extracts of aerial parts of Passiflora caerulea intraperitoneally for 30 days. At the end, blood samples were taken from all animals. Serum levels of sodium, potassium, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and uric acid were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18, ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: Cadmium chloride caused a significant increase in serum concentrations of creatinine (P<0.001), BUN (P<0.001), sodium (P<0.001), potassium (P=0.04) and uric acid (P<0.001) compared to the control group. Different amounts of hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of Passiflora caerulea could significantly reduce serum concentrations of creatinine (P<0.001), BUN (P<0.001), sodium (P<0.001), potassium (P<0.001) and uric acid (P<0.001)in all treatment groups compared to cadmium chloride. Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, the hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of the Passiflora caerulea plant has a protective effect on cadmium chloride-induced renal dysfunction in male rats.