Physiological and histopathological study on the influence of Ocimum basilicum leaves extract on thioacetamide-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats

Kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Globally, many risk factors for kidney disease progression have been identified. The global prevalence of acute and chronic forms of kidney disease is rising continuously. Nephrotoxicity is defined as rapid dysfunction of kidney due to toxic influence of medications and chemicals. Nephroprotective agents are material that has potential to minimize the effects of nephrotoxic agents. Plants have been shown to be potential therapeutic agents to protect against nephrotoxicity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of basil leaves extract against thioacetamide (TAA) in male rats. Experimental male rats were divided into four groups. Rats of the first group were served as controls. Rats of the second group were exposed to TAA. Rats of the third group were treated with basil leaves extract and TAA. Rats of the fourth group were treated with basil leaves extract. After the end of experimental duration (6 Weeks), rats of the second group showed significantly increases of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid levels, while the levels of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione were significantly decreased. Histopathologically, renal sections from rats treated with only TAA showed several alterations in the structure of most renal corpuscles including a degeneration of glomeruli and Bowman's capsules. Treatment with basil leaves extract improved the observed biochemical and histopathological changes induced by TAA intoxication. These new findings indicate that the extract of basil leaves represent protective roles on biochemical and histopathological changes induced by TAA toxicity due to its antioxidant activities.