Protective potency of Meristotropis xanthioides against nephrotoxicity in a rat model along with its antioxidant and antibacterial activities

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate nephroprotective potential of Meristotropis xanthioides (M. xanthioides) extract against ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats, and also its total phenolics content, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Methods Total phenol and flavonoid amounts of the leaf and stem extracts were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride reagents, respectively. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the extracts were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and disc diffusion methods, respectively. In addition, protective potential of the leaf extract against ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity was studied by histological and biochemical analyses. Results Obtained results indicated high total phenol [(10.26 ± 0.46) mg GAE/g of dry extract] and flavonoid [(3.63 ± 0.62) mg QE/g of dry extract] amounts in the leaf extract. The leaf and stem extracts possessed stronger antioxidant activity [IC