PSJ Web Site
J-STAGE
  Software Requirements
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or higher and Netscape Navigator 4.75 or higher are recommended.


J.Health Sci., 55(5), 701-708, 2009

Experimental Studies of Achyranthes aspera (L) Preventing Nephrotoxicity Induced by Lead in Albino Rats

Thangavel Jayakumar,a Metharmitla Perumal Sridhar,a Tanguturi Raghavaiah Bharathprasad,a Muthaiyan Ilayaraja,a Swaminathan Govindasamy,b and Maruthaiveeran Periyasamy Balasubramanian*, a

aDepartment of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr. ALM Post-Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai-600113, India and bDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy campus, Chennai-600025, India

The present study was designed to evaluate the nephroprotective role of methanolic extract of Achyranthes aspera (A. aspera) an important herb in the Indian system of medicine against lead acetate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Toxicity was induced in male albino rats (Wistar strain) by administering lead acetate (0.2%) in drinking water for 6 weeks, followed by extract of A. aspera (200 mg/kg body weight). Changes in kidney weights encountered upon lead administration improved after extract with A. aspera. Lead damage to the urine was evident from increase in the activity of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), Cathespin D, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), β-glucuronidase lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in urine along with some urinary constituents (urea, uric acid, creatinine, protein and phosphorous). The effects of lead were also studied in kidney (γ-GT, β-glucuronidase, NAG, Cathespin D and LDH) and showed a decline upon extract administration. Increased activities of urinary enzymes were accompanied by increase in the urinary constituents. Treatment with methanolic extract of A. aspera after lead induction completely ameliorated the lead-induced renal damage.