Nephroprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Parsley against Nephrotoxicity Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in the Male Rats

Background: CCl4 causes disorders in different body organs especially kidneys by generating free radicals. High exposure to CCl4 can cause kidney damage. It produces renal diseases in human. Metabolism of CCl4 involves in the production of free radicals through its activation by drug metabolizing enzymes located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Parsley has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activities, and probable immune boosting properties make it relevant in the traditional treatment of urinary tract infection, nephritis, and cystitis.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of parsley against the histopathological and biochemical alterations induced in the kidney by CCl4 of male rats.

Materials and Methods: 24 male rats were used for this study and divided into 4 groups. The first group was control group injected intraperitoneally with olive oil (1ml/kg of body weight) three time/week, the 2nd was injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (1ml/kg of body weight) three time/week, the 3rd was injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (1ml/kg of body weight) three time/week concurrently with receiving aqueous Parsley leaves extract (5g/kg body wt/day) by gastric intubation’s, the 4th was injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (1ml/kg of body weight) three time/week concurrently with receiving aqueous Parsley leaves extract (20g/kg body wt/day) by gastric intubation’s, respectively for 4 weeks. The Kidneys were dissected out and specimens were taken and processed for light microscopic examinations. Blood samples were obtained for assessment of serum urea, creatinine, and uric acid.

Results: The results showed a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, K+, and Clconcentrations and a significant decrease in serum Na+ concentration in rats treated with CCl4 compared with controls. Histopathological investigation of rats treated with CCl4 showed degeneration of epithelial lining and disruption of brush borders of the proximal convoluted tubules and presence of epithelial debris inside their lumens. The renal corpuscle appeared with degeneration of the glomerulus and disrupted Bowman's capsule. Extensive perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells and massive interstitial hemorrhage were seen. Co-administration of Parsley with CCl4 significantly dose dependent improvement in the structural changes in the kidney and the serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, K+, and Cl- concentrations were significantly declined and serum Na+ concentration was significantly increased compared with CCl4 treated group.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that, carbon tetrachloride has adverse effects on the kidney, it caused a serious pathophysiological changes in the kidney. Parsley aqueous extract was able to protect the kidney against these effects. So, the persons expose to CCl4 should be advised to take parsley aqueous extract.

Keywords: CCl4, Parsley, Nephrotoxicity, Nephroprotective, Renal pathophysiological changes, Histopathology.