Effect of lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene, on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in rat kidney after chronic cadmium exposure.

This study pertains to the role of lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene, against the toxic manifestations of chronic cadmium exposure. Cadmium is a potent nephrotoxin on prolonged exposure. Cadmium (as cadmium chloride) at a dose of 1 mg kg(-1) body weight was administered subcutaneously for 15 days to rats. This led to an increase in the level of lipid peroxides and a decrease in the level of antioxidants in the kidney. Lupeol, when supplemented at a dosage of 40 mg kg(-1) body weight concurrent with cadmium administration, showed an improvement in the antioxidant status. The level of lipid peroxides also showed a significant decrease, which shows the nephroprotective action of the drug.