Nephroprotective effect of Ferulago angulata flowers on N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and its phytochemical profile.

The present study was designed to assess the phytochemical content of Ferulago angulata (FA) and possible in vivo nephroprotective effect of FA administration on trace elements, minerals, MDA and GSH in kidney and liver tissue samples, serum vitamin (α-tocopherol, retinol, cholecalciferol, phylloquinone), TSA, and LSA in a rat model of DMN-induced nephrotoxicity. In the study, Wistar albino rats were assigned to six groups: Control (0.9% NaCl), (DMN 10 mg/kg), (FA 150 mg/kg), (DMN + FA 150 mg/kg), (FA 300 mg/kg), and (DMN + FA 300 mg/kg). Rats were intraperitoneally given DMN for the first 7 days. Renal injury caused by DMN was proved by the histopathological alterations. The FA (300 mg/kg) treatment significantly normalized Se, Cr, Ca levels in liver and Co level in kidney tissue samples. These observed positive effects are due to the phytochemical content of the plant. The flower extract of FA (300 mg/kg) can be used for the prevention of kidney damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ferulago angulata flowers are used in traditional medicine for treat kidney and liver digestive system diseases. This species is endemic taxa of the family Apiaceae, which has been used both as food and therapeutics because of their phytochemical composition. In this study, the phenolic characterization of FA flower was used to a new RP-HPLC method, as well as the biological activity of FA flower and possible in vivo nephroprotective effect of FA flowers on trace elements, minerals, MDA and GSH in kidney and liver tissue samples and vitamins, TSA, and LSA in serum samples a rat model of DMN-induced nephrotoxicity. It was found that high level of phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, 2-hydroxycinnamic acid) present in the flower extract of F. angulata has positive effects and antioxidant properties. Due to its phenolic content, FA flower extract could protect for kidney damage and can be used as antioxidants in the food additive and pharmaceutical industry.

Successful treatment of sodium oxalate induced urolithiasis with Helichrysum flowers.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Helichrysum (Asteraceae) flowers, known as "altin otu, yayla çiçegi, kudama çiçegi" , are widely used to remove kidney stones and for their diuretic properties in Turkey. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the curative effect of infusions prepared from capitulums of Helichrysum graveolens (M. Bieb.) Sweet (HG) and H. stoechas ssp. barellieri (Ten.) Nyman (HS) on sodium oxalate induced kidney stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infusions prepared from the capitulums of HG and HS were tested for their curative effect on calcium oxalate deposition induced by sodium oxalate (70mg/kg i.p.). Following the injection of sodium oxalate for 5 days, plant extracts were administered to rats at two different doses. Potassium citrate was used as positive control. Water intake, urine volume, body, liver and kidney weights were measured; biochemical and hematological analyses were conducted on urine and blood samples. Additionally, histopathological examinations were done on kidney samples. RESULTS: H. stoechas extract showed prominent effect at 156mg/kg dose (stone formation score: 0.33), whereas number of kidney stones was maximum in sodium oxalate group (stone formation score: 2.33). The reduction in the uric acid and oxalate levels of urine samples and the elevation in the urine citrate levels are significant and promising in extract groups. Some hematological, biochemical and enzymatic markers are also ameliorated by the extracts. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the curative effect of immortal flowers. Our preliminary study indicated that Helichrysum extracts may be used for treatment of urolithiasis and Helichrysum extracts are an alternative therapy to potassium citrate for patients suffering from kidney stones.