Evaluation of nephroprotective, diuretic, and antioxidant activities of plectranthus amboinicus on acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxic rats.

Plectranthus amboinicus (PA), commonly known as country borage, is a folkoric medicinal plant. Juice from its leaves is commonly used for illnesses including liver and renal conditions in the Asian sub-continent. Acetaminophen (APAP), used as an analgesic, produces liver and kidney necrosis in mammals at high doses. The aim of this study was to investigate the nephroprotective, diuretic, and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of PA at two doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg bw on APAP-induced toxicity in rats. This study shows that APAP significantly increases the levels of serum urea (UR), hemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte count, creatinine, raised body weight, and reduced levels of neutrophils, granulocytes, uric acid, and platelet concentration. Ethanol extract of PA rescued these phenotypes by increasing anti-oxidative responses as assessed by biochemistry and histopathology. In addition, the ethanol extract of PA at two doses showed a significant diuretic activity by increased levels of total urine output and urinary elerolytes such as sodium and potassium. In conclusion, these data suggest that the ethanol extract of PA possess nephroprotective and antioxidant effects against APAP-induced nephrotoxicity and strong diuretics effect in rats.