Ameliorative effects of the ethanolic extract of Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch on CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in mice: A stereological examination

The present study was carried out to investigate the nephroprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch (ASRMF) in mice. Thirty-five male mice were divided into five groups (n=7). Group 1 (positive control) received 1 mL/kg olive oil intraperitoneally (i.p.) and 0.5 mL distilled water orally; Group 2 (negative control) received CCl4 (50% in olive oil, 1 mg/kg; i.p.); Groups 3, 4 and 5 received CCl4 and 200, 800 and 1600 ?g/kg of ASRMF extract, respectively. The renal volume and cortex in Groups 1 and 2 were increased by 55% and 62% (p?0.001) following CCl4 administration, respectively, and were improved after ASRMF administration. The volume of proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs), glomeruli, vessels and interstitial tissue increased 80%, 150%, 83% and 64% (p?0.05), respectively, in CCl4-treated mice, and decreased significantly with 800 and 1600 ?g/kg of ASRMF. The length of PCTs and vessels increased 51% and 45% and decreased (p?0.05) with 200, 800 and 1600 ?g/kg of ASRMF, respectively. CCl4-treated mice lost 22.5% of glomeruli; the loss was inhibited significantly (p?0.05) by ASRMF. Urea and creatinine concentrations were increased (p?0.05) in CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity as compared to the controls, whereas different doses of ASRMF restored the levels of these biomarkers compared to the negative controls. In conclusion, ASRMF has a potent nephroprotective property and can improve renal structural and serum biomarkers in CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.