Magnesium lithospermate B ameliorates cephaloridine-induced renal injury.

To determine whether magnesium lithospermate B ameliorates renal injury induced by cephaloridine, the effect of cephaloridine was investigated in rats given magnesium lithospermate B for 20 days preceding cephaloridine administration and in control rats given no magnesium lithospermate B. In the control rats, blood and urinary parameters and the activity of radical-eliminating enzymes in the renal tissue deviated from the normal range, indicating damage to the kidneys. In contrast, rats given magnesium lithospermate B showed decreased urine volume, increased urinary osmotic pressure, and decreased urinary levels of glucose, protein, sodium and potassium, denoting less damage to the kidney. In this group, the urinary nitrite/nitrate ratio, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the renal tissue were increased, while the malondialdehyde levels were decreased, suggesting the involvement of radicals in the normalizing of kidney function. The increased levels of urea nitrogen in the blood of rats with induced renal failure were also lowered by administering magnesium lithospermate B.