Nephroprotective Potential of Urtica parviflora Roxb. Against Paracetamol Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Objective: To investigate nephroprotective potential of Urtica parviflora (UP) against paracetamol (PCM) induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats by chronic administration of PCM (1 g/kg body weight p.o.) for 21 days. Different doses of UP (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) were administered for 21 days along with PCM. Blood urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, total protein, serum and tissue nitrite, renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants along with lipid peroxidation were evaluated. The effect of extract treatment on the renal histopathological profile in PCM nephrotoxic rats was also evaluated. Results: PCM treatment significantly elevated blood urea, BUN, creatinine, serum nitrite and renal lipid peroxidation along with significant decrement in renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, total proteins while UP treatment significantly attenuated these alterations. The extract was also effective in mitigating renal histopathological changes induced by PCM. Conclusions: The results suggested potent nephroprotective and antioxidant properties of Urtica parviflora.