Betulinic acid, natural pentacyclic triterpenoid prevents arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible renoprotective role of betulinic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid on arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and experiment was done as follows: normal control group, arsenic trioxide (4  mg/kg b.wt) group, betulinic acid control (100 mg/kg b.wt) group, and a combination therapy group with both arsenic trioxide (4 mg/kg b.wt) and betulinic acid (100 mg/kg b.wt).The mode of administration of drugs was oral, and duration of study was 30 days. The results showed that the arsenic t reatment inflated the urea, uric acid, creatinine, and serum γ-glutamyl tranferase (GGT) in serum and at the same time, creatinine clearance rate was down turned significantly (p <  0.05) in rats. Arsenic-induced oxidative stress in renal tissue was identified by increased levels of lipid peroxidation marker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Reduced glutathione and enzymatic antioxidants—glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxid e dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)—were altered by arsenic exposure. Tubular necrosis and destruction of tubular structures were observed. Betulinic acid treatment markedly attenuated in the arsenic-induced renal tissue damage. These data indicate that the natural antioxidant betulinic acid mig ht have a protective effect against arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research