Nephroprotective effects of Raphanus sativus (Radish) in rifampicin induced nephrotoxicity in adult albino rabbits

Abstract

Rifampicin is one of the broad-spectrum antibiotics and it is a key component of antituberculosis treatment. Its adverse effects include acute renal failure and nephrotoxicity. Silymarin is being used to counter the adverse effects of rifampicin as it antagonizes the nephrotoxic effects of rifampicin due to its antioxidant and permeability stabilizing activity and hence prevents the entry of toxic agent in the cell. The leaves and stem part of Raphanus sativus also possesses strong antioxidant activity which make it a potent nephroprotective agent for nephrotoxicity induced by rifampicin. The current study was designed to assess the nephroprotective effects of Raphanus sativus (radish) leaves against nephrotoxicity induced by rifampicin. There were forty rabbits used and distributed in five different groups; Group-1 was control (CK). Rifampicin orally for 28 days was given to Group-2. For Group-3, 4 and 5, silymarin, ethanolic and aqueous Raphanus sativus extracts were administered orally, together with rifampicin, for 28 days, respectively. Blood samples were collected prior to the medication and at 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and 28^th days after treatment for biochemical analysis. Renal tissue was collected for histopathological studies. Results showed that the rifampicin-treated group showed nephrotoxicity which increases blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and blood urea. Whereas groups treated with Raphanus sativus leaves aqueous and ethanol extracts along with rifampicin showed decrease in RFT levels due to their nephroprotective properties. Histopathological results showed congestion of renal tubules and glomeruli, which was the indication of toxicity associated with the use of rifampicin. The microstructures were returning to normal with the administration of nephroprotective drugs. Finally, alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Raphanus sativus when given along with rifampicin and have shown potent nephro- protective effects and shown results like that of silymarin.