Renoprotective effects of the methanolic extract of Tanacetum parthenium against carbon tetrachloride-induced renal injury in rats

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated that carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in many tissues including the kidney, heart, lung, brain, and liver. The major aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective activity of Tanacetum parthenium extract (TPE) in renal tissues of CCl(4)-intoxicated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were divided into seven groups of six rats. Group 1 was the control group that was not treated with CCl(4). The rats in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with CCl(4) (1.5 ml/kg, 1:1 in olive oil) on day 14. Rats in the groups bTPE40, bTPE80, and bTPE120 were gavaged with 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg of TPE, respectively for 14 constitutive days on a daily basis, before CCl(4) administration. Rats in groups aTPE80 and aTPE120 were gavaged with 80 and 120 mg/kg of TPE, respectively, 2, 6, 24 and 48 hr after receiving CCl(4). Blood samples were collected at the end of the 16(th) day through an intracardiac puncture and then serums were separated. RESULTS: CCl(4) increased urea, creatinine, uric acid and creatinine: albumin (C/A) ratio level in serum and decreased total antioxidant and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) when compared to the control group (p<0.001). But administration of TPE to rats either before or after exposure to CCl(4), attenuated these changes when compared with CCl(4) control group (p<0.05 – p<0.001). CONCLUSION: TPE had potent nephroprotective effects against oxygen free radicals produced through CCl(4) metabolism.