RESUMO
The present study investigates the influence of methanolic fraction (MF) of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract on the kidney tissues of mercury intoxicated mice, Mus musculus. At median-lethal dose of mercuric chloride (12.9 mg/kg body weight), the whole kidney tissue showed an increased level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and simultaneously a decreased level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH). These parameters reached to near normal after administration of fruit extracts of T. terrestris for 7 days. The results suggested that the oral administration of methanolic fraction of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract at dose 6 mg/kg body weight provided protection against the mercuric chloride induced toxicity in the mice.