Abstract
Author(s): Zeenat Hamid, Insha Zahoor and Ehtishamul Haq*
Liver and kidneys are exposed to a lot of exogenous and endogenous oxidants. Potassium dichromate is a potent hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic agent. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent peroxidative damage caused by dichromate are considered to be the main mechanisms leading to hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The present investigation aims at assessing the effect of aqueous extract of Arnebia benthamii on dichromate induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in a rat model. The effect was seen by comparing the serum hepatic and renal marker levels in treated and toxic model with control as an index for hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Hepatic markers, alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases were found to be significantly increased in the serum of rats treated with dichromate (10 mg/kg b.w, i.p.), suggesting hepatic damage. Likewise, marked increase in kidney function markers i.e., BUN and creatinine were observed in dichromate administered rats. Pre-treatment with aqueous extract of Arnebia benthamii further increased the levels of serum markers for hepatotoxicity, providing an insight towards its effect as hepatotoxic. However, no significant change in kidney function markers was observed in treated group as compared to the toxic group. In conclusion, our study suggests that use of Arnebia benthamii may worsen hepatic health, thus caution need to be taken while using it as folklore medicine.