Therapeutic efficacy of Picroliv in chronic cadmium toxicity.

Cadmium (Cd), an industrial and environmental pollutant, is toxic to several tissues, most notably causing hepatotoxicity on acute administration and nephrotoxicity following chronic exposure. The therapeutic efficacy of Picroliv--a standardized fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa, was investigated in male rats treated with Cd as CdCl2 (0.5 mg/kg, sc) 5 days/week for 24 weeks and Picroliv at two doses (6 and 12 mg/kg, p.o.) was given during the last 4 weeks. The Cd induced levels of malondialdehyde and membrane fluidity and decreased levels of non protein sulphydryls and Na+K+ATPase activity of hepatic tissue, along with liver function serum enzymes were restored to near normalcy on treatment with the higher dose of Picroliv. Enhanced excretion of urinary proteins, Cd, Ca and enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase) evident at 24 weeks of Cd exposure, indicated severe renal damage. Picroliv appeared less effective in causing restoration of these urinary parameters as well as oxidative stress indices in the renal tissue. Picroliv not only reduced the accumulated levels of Cd, Zn and Ca and Cd-metallothionein in liver, but also enhanced the bile flow and biliary Cd. The morphological alterations in liver caused by Cd appeared less marked on Picroliv treatment. However, the renal morphology remained uninfluenced. Our earlier data on 18 weeks of Cd and 4 weeks of Picroliv co-treatment showed significant amelioration of both hepatic and renal manifestations of Cd. The hepatic protection by Picrilov is clearly demonstrated in this study, while marginal lowering of urinary proteins and enzymes is a positive signal of renal protective efficacy of Picroliv, which could be augmented by adopting higher doses and extended regimen.