Effect of alcoholic extract of roots of Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn. against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

The alcoholic extract of roots of Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn. (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its protective effect against cisplatin-induced renal injury in rats. Cisplatin (6mg/kg, i.p.) significantly elevated serum markers level, increased urinary protein excretion, reduced urine to serum creatinine ratio and creatinine clearance. In curative regimen, the alcoholic extract exhibited dose dependent protection. Animals which received prophylactic treatment also showed partial protection against cisplatin-induced effects. Histopathological studies substantiated the above results. Further, the alcoholic extract showed marked nitric oxide scavenging effect and reducing power suggesting an antioxidant property. A triterpenoid, fatty acid and a steroid were isolated from the n-hexane, ethyl acetate fractions of alcoholic extract. The results suggested that the roots of D. cinerea showed protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity which may probably be mediated by its antioxidant property.