Ameliorative Effect of Viola odorata. L. Ethyl Acetate Extract against Nephrotoxicity Induced by Chronic Ethanol Exposure in Rats

Background and purpose: This study was designed to determine the protective effect of flower and leaf ethyl acetate extract of Viola odorata L. against ethanol induced chronic nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Ethyl acetate extracts of flower and leaf of V. odorata were prepared. Then, Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of extracts were determined. Animals were randomally assigned into follwing groups: control (normal saline), ethanol (10 mg/kg, IP), ethanol with oral doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) of flower and leaf ethyl acetate extracts and Vit E (positive control). After 28 days, animals were anesthetized, kidneys were removed and level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl, and antioxidant content (glutathione) were evaluated. In addition, histopathological changes as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), BUN and Cr in serum were evaluated. Results: Ethanol promoted significant increase in ROS, LPO, and P.C levels in kidney while it reduced GSH storage. We found that ethanol treatment led to significant histologic changes and also elevation of BUN and Cr. Furthermore, TAC decreased in the plasma of ethanol-treated rats. Administration of both extracts markedly inhibited renal oxidative stress and reduced BUN and Cr levels in the plasma. Furthoremore, plasma TAC and pathological lesions were improved after treatment with both extracts. Conclusion: Viola odorata showed protective effects against ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity, which may be attributed to its antioxidant activity. So, it can be considered effective against oxidative stress induced by chronic ethanol exposure in kidney tissue.