Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of the methanolic extract from Sida rhombifolia L. aerial parts in mice

BACKGROUND: The liver and kidneys are essential for maintaining metabolic balance and homeostasis in the body. Nowadays, both organs play a role in metabolic and inflammatory diseases, which are becoming an increasingly prevalent health issue globally, making it essential to find more accessible and safe treatment options for the general population. In such a context, Sida rhombifolia L. is a shrub with therapeutic properties that may be utilized to prevent or treat liver and kidney diseases. OBJECTIVE: Study on the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of the methanolic extract from the aerial parts of S. rhombifolia L. against liver and kidney toxicity induced pharmacologically in mice. METHODOLOGY: Aerial parts of the plant were collected to obtain the methanolic extract from S. rhombifolia (EMSr). Acute oral toxicity of EMSr was assessed in mice (both female and male, n=5). Additionally, general behavior was evaluated using a sub-chronic toxicity assay (male only, n=8). The acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity and gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity assay were developed to evaluate markers of liver and kidney damage (male and female, n=8). The doses of the EMSr evaluated in all the assays were 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg of silymarin was employed as a control. RESULTS: The results indicate that EMSr is secure under a dose at 2000 mg/kg (v.o.), and did not alter the normal behavior of the mice. In the subchronic toxicity test, in males, the serum uric acid level decreased significantly with all the doses of EMSr, on the other hand, in females, only the higher doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg decreased significantly this parameter. In relation to other biochemical indicators, every administered dose of EMSr reduced significantly the GPT, ALP and creatinine, compared to the paracetamol and gentamicin groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Considering these results, the methanolic extract of EMSr did not exhibit significant toxicity in mice, and according to the in vivo assays; it is possible that it has effects that protect the liver and kidneys.