Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. against Paracetamol Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Many indigenous plants claim to have marked hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity, the plant under study which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids is still unexplored and being investigated for its hepatoprotective and nephroprotective properties. Objectives: To investigate the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. (CH) against Paracetamol (PCM) induced toxicity in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Normal group received only saline, and the control group received paracetamol at a dose of 750 mg/kg p.o. for 7 days, except for the normal group all the other groups received the same above said dose of PCM, the standard group received silymarin and drug-treated groups received three doses; 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol extract for 14 days. Normal group, standard group and all the drug-treated groups are compared with negative control and analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet's multiple comparison tests. The study assesses liver function by estimating the following biochemical parameters ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, and total bilirubin and kidney function by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Liver and kidney tissue homogenates are used to determine endogenous antioxidants such as GSH, SOD, and catalase and the extent of lipid peroxidation by measuring MDA levels. Results: It was observed that medium and high dose of ethanol extract, chloroform extract, and high dose of petroleum extracts showed hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects by restoring biochemical parameters and increasing antioxidant levels which is statistically significant. It is quite relevant to correlate the presence of a high concentration of flavonoids & phenolic compounds to its antioxidant property. Conclusion: Among all the extracts the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity of ethanol was found to be more pronounced and promising. Further investigation is required to know which flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the ethanol and chloroform extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum are responsible for the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity.