Ruta graveolens and its active constituent rutin protect against diethylnitrosamine induced nephrotoxicity through modulation of oxidative stress
Article history: The current study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of Ruta graveolens (Rue) and its active phenolic constituent rutin against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced nephrotoxicity in rats. A single dose of DEN (200 mg/kg body weight) was intraperitoneally injected. Two weeks after DEN administration, rats received 0.05 phenobarbital in drinking water for 12 weeks. Ruta graveolens (50 mg/kg) and rutin (50 mg/kg) were orally administered from the first day of experiment. DEN administration induced kidney injury evidenced by histological alterations as well as significant increase in serum urea (P<0.01) creatinine (P<0.001) and uric acid (P<0.001) and renal lipid peroxidation levels. On the other hand, renal glutathione content and activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione s transferase were significantly declined. Concomitant supplementation with either R. graveolens extract or rutin markedly alleviated the altered biochemical and histopathological features. In conclusion, the current findings provide evidence tha t R. graveolens and its active phenolic component rutin could protect against DEN induced renal damage through abolishment of oxidative stress and potentiation of the antioxidant defense system.