Renoprotective and Cardioprotective Potential of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

The goal of the current study was to assess the nephroprotective and cardioprotective potential of Moricandia sinaica methanol extract (MOR-1), as well as its butanol (MOR-2) and aqueous (MOR-3) fractions against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced nephro and cardio-toxicity. Cardiac function was assessed using the biochemical parameters lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine kinase (CK). Renal function was examined using the biochemical parameters creatinine and uric acid. The levels of nonprotein sulfhydryls (NPSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were used as markers of oxidative strain. A dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg of butanol fraction given prior to CCl₄ treatment significantly (p < 0.05 - 0.001) protected against elevated LDH and CK levels. Similarly, treatment with silymarin (10 mg/kg) and butanol fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05 - 0.001) boosted total protein levels compared to CCl₄ treatment alone. The silymarin (10 mg/kg) and butanol fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg) also provided a significant (p < 0.05 - 0.001) protective effect for MDA levels. Methanol extract (MOR-1) and butanol (MOR-2) showed significant results and were recommended for further pharmacological and screening for active constituents.

Figure 1

Effect of extract fraction on total protein in heart tissue. All values represent mean ± SEM. ^∗p < 0.05^∗∗∗p < 0.001; ANOVA, followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test. Where ^a compared to the normal group and ^b compared with ^a groups. I Normal, II CCl₄, III-Silymarin + CCl₄, IV-MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, V-MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VI-MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VII-MOR- 2 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VIII-MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄ and IX-MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄.

Figure 2

Effect of extract fraction on MDA (Malondialdehyde) in heart tissue. All values represent mean ± SEM. ^∗p < 0.05^∗∗∗p < 0.001; ANOVA, followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test. Where ^a compared to the normal group and ^b compared with ^a groups. I Normal, II CCl₄, III-Silymarin + CCl₄, IV-MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, V-MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VI-MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VII-MOR-2 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VIII-MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄ and IX-MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄.

Figure 3

Effect of extract fraction on NP-SH (nonprotein and sulfhydryls) in heart tissue. All values represent mean ± SEM. ^∗p < 0.05^∗∗∗p < 0.001; ANOVA, followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test. Where ^a compared to the normal group and ^b compared with ^a groups. I Normal, II CCl₄, III-Silymarin + CCl₄, IV-MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, V-MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VI-MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VII-MOR-2 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VIII-MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄ and IX-MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄.

Figure 4

Effect of extract fraction on total protein in kidney tissue. All values represent mean ± SEM. ^∗p < 0.05^∗∗∗p < 0.001; ANOVA, followed by Dunnett′s multiple comparison test. Where ^a compared to the normal group and ^b compared with ^a groups. I Normal, II CCl₄, III-Silymarin + CCl₄, IV-MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, V-MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VI-MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VII-MOR-2 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VIII-MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄ and IX-MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄.

Figure 5

Effect of extract fraction on MDA (Malondialdehyde) in kidney tissue. All values represent mean ± SEM. ^∗p < 0.05^∗∗∗p < 0.001; ANOVA, followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test. Where ^a compared to the normal group and ^b compared with ^a groups. I Normal, II CCl₄, III-Silymarin + CCl₄, IV-MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, V-MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VI-MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VII-MOR-2 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VIII-MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄ and IX-MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄.

Figure 6

Effect of extract fraction on NP-SH (nonprotein and sulfhydryls) in kidney tissue. All values represent mean ± SEM. ^∗p < 0.05^∗∗∗p < 0.001; ANOVA, followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test. Where ^a compared to the normal group and ^b compared with ^a groups. I Normal, II CCl₄, III-Silymarin + CCl₄, IV-MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, V-MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VI-MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VII-MOR-2 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄, VIII-MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) + CCl₄ and IX-MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) + CCl₄.

Figure 7

Sections of the cortex of the kidney from (A-F). (a) control rat shows the normal structure of renal corbacells and tubules (b) rat administered with CCl₄ onlet show the disturbance of cortex structure. Severe degenerations of both renal glomeruli and tubules are appeared, (c) rat giving CCl₄ and silymarin administered show the cortex appeared more or less like normal one, (d) rat administered CCl₄ and silymarin show degeneration of some renal tubules, (e) rat administered CCl₄ and MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) show the glomeruli and many of renal tubules appeared normal. Notice the degeneration of some renal tubules, (f) CCl₄ and MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) administered rat show the glomeruli and many of renal tubules appear normal. Notice the degeneration of some renal tubules (H & E stain, Scale bar 5 μm).

Figure 8

Sections of the cortex of the kidney from (A-D). (a) CCl₄ and MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) rat shows the normal structure of renal corpacells and tubules (b) CCl₄ and MOR-2 (200 mg/kg) administered rat shows the disturbance of cortex structure. Moderate degeneration of both renal glomeruli and tubules appear, (c) CCl₄ and MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) administered rat show the feature of cortex appeared more or less like the normal one, (d) CCl₄ and MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) administered rat show severe degeneration of some renal glomerulus and tubules (H & E stain, Scale bar 5 μm).

Figure 9

Sections of heart from (A-E). (a) control rat shows the normal structure of myocytes with striations and branched appearance, (b) CCl₄ administered rat show focal necrosis of muscle fibers with eosinophilia in the cytoplasm. Severe degeneration of the myocytes and congestion of blood vessels, (c) CCl₄ and silymarin administered rat show the myocytes that appeared more or less like the control one, (d) CCl₄ and MOR-1 (100 mg/kg) administered rat shows the myocytes appeared more or less like the normal. Notice the degeneration of few myocytes, (e) CCl₄ and MOR-1 (200 mg/kg) administered rat shows the myocytes appeared more or less like the normal (H & E stain, Scale bar 5 μm).

Figure 10

Sections of heart from (A-F). (a) CCl₄ and MOR-2 (100 mg/kg) rat shows the normal structure of myocytes, (b) CCl₄ and MOR-2 (200 mg/kg) administered rat shows the normal structure of myocytes that associated with congestion of blood vessels, (c) CCl₄ and MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) administered rat show the feature of heart tissue appeared more or less like normal one, (d) CCl₄ and MOR-3 (100 mg/kg) administered rat show the disturbance feature of myocytes and blood vessels congestion, (e) CCl₄ and MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) administered rat show normal structure of myocytes, (f) CCl₄ and MOR-3 (200 mg/kg) administered rat show degeneration of some myocytes (H & E stain, Scale bar 5 μm).