Nephroprotective role and antioxidant capacity of Atriplex halimus on carbon tetrachloride-induced kidney damage in rats

The aim of this work was to study the nephroprotective role and antioxidant capacity of Atriplex halimus aqueous leaves extract (AHAE) against carbon tetrachloride-induced kidney injury in rats. The experimental rats were randomized into four experimental groups of eight each: Group (C) served as a control received a normal diet, Group (CCl₄) received a normal diet for 4 weeks and then was injected with one dose of 1.0 ml/kg body weight of carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil (v/v) intraperitoneally, Group (AHAE + CCl4) received 200 mg/kg body weight of AHAE for 4 weeks and then was injected with one dose of 1.0 ml/kg body weight of carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil (v/v) intraperitoneally, and Group (AHAE) received 200 mg/kg body weight of AHAE for 4 weeks. The AHAE nephroprotective effect was evaluated histopathologically and biochemically through measuring several indices in plasma, urine, and renal tissue homogenates. The results indicated that intraperitoneally injection of CCl4-induced severe kidney injury associated with oxidative stress by increased malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels and reduced the antioxidant defense system such as reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (Vit C), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) compared with control group. The pretreatment with AHAE significantly restored the majority of these biochemical parameters to normal levels, as well as improved the histopathological changes compared with CCl4-treated group. The obtained results highlighted the potential use of AHAE as a source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological advantages.