Ipomoea staphylina Attenuates Potassium Dichromate-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats via Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Effects.

Occupational and environmental exposure to chromium compounds leads to nephrotoxicity to humans and animals due to the overproduction of ROS. Our study was aimed to demonstrate the shielding effect of hydroethanolic extract of Ipomoea staphylina (HEIS) bark on male Wistar rats challenged with potassium dichromate (KCrO). Division of animals was done in 4 groups' viz., normal control, KCrO control, KCrO+HEIS (100 mg/kg), and KCrO+HEIS (200 mg/kg). Except for the normal control group, other groups were challenged with a single dose (subcutaneous) of KCrO (15 mg/kg) and then treated with HEIS (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 1 week. It was observed that animals treated with KCrO showed a notable increase in serum creatinine, blood urea, and BUN and dwindles in protein level. These changes were significantly reversed after a 1-week treatment with HEIS (100 and 200 mg/kg). Moreover, HEIS (100 and 200 mg/kg) showed a remarkable improvement in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPx, CAT, and SOD) and decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the kidney. Furthermore, treatment with HEIS (100 and 200 mg/kg) notably decreased the activity of caspase-3 and improved the level of HO-1 especially in the KCrO+ HEIS (200 mg/kg) group. Also, the histopathological study of the kidney supported the protective effects of HEIS. Hence, HEIS bark holds a notable protective effect against KCrO-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.