NEPHROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF BERGENIA LIGULATA WALL. (PASHANABHEDA) AGAINST CISPLATIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY: AN IN VIVO STUDY

The kidneys, which are vital organs inside the human body, are at high risk of getting diseased, as humans have been constantly exposed to a toxic environment. Diseases of kidneys and other organs of excretory system are explained in Ayurveda under the group of diseases e.g. Mutraghata, Mutrashmari, Mutrakruccrah, Mutravaha stroto-vikaras, etc. Pashanabheda i.e. Bergenia ligulata wall being one of the drugs explained in treatment of these diseases, is taken for study to investigate its nephroprotective efficacy against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. Mice were divided into 5 groups, each containing six. The first group is normal control (without treatment and without Inj. cisplatin), second group is cisplatin control (Inj. Cisplatin given but no treatment), in third, fourth and fifth groups the drug Pashanabheda was given in three different doses i.e. effective dose, half the effective dose, double the effective dose respectively, along with Inj. Cisplatin. Compared to normal control group, cisplatin control group showed significantly higher levels of Serum Urea, Serum Creatinine, Serum BUN and significantly lower levels of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Histopathological examination of cisplatin control group showed signs of nephrotoxicity i.e. atrophied glomerulus, widened Bowman’s capsule, hyalinization of glomerulus etc. compared to normal control group. On the other hand, groups treated with Pashanabheda ameliorated all biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes. In conclusion, Pashanabheda exerted the nephroprotective effect in mice. The observations were noted, analyzed statistically; results were discussed and concluded.