Andrographis Paniculata: Protects against Hepatorenal in Rats Exposed to Mercury Chloride

Andrographis paniculata is a traditional plant, although little is known regarding its effectiveness against mercury chloride-induced liver and kidney damage. The hepatorenal protective properties of the A. paniculata extract was assessed in mercury chloride-induced (0.5 mg/kg) hepatorenal toxicity in male Wistar rats (5/group). The aqueous A. paniculata extract was administered at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses orally for 28 consecutive days concurrently with the mercury chloride. Ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg) was used as the standard drug. After the administration, biochemical parameters on serum were assessed, and histology on H&E-stained liver and kidney sections. The results showed that A. paniculata significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of serum AST, ALT, ALP, Urea, and Creatinine MDA and significantly (p < 0.05) increased the contents of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Rats given only mercury chloride developed hepatic steatosis and renal glomerulus degeneration. The A. paniculata extract and ascorbic acid prevented the degeneration of the cytoarchitecture of the liver and renal glomerulus. Histological results support the biochemical findings. In conclusion, the findings in this study suggest that A. paniculata has a protective potential against mercury chloride induced liver and kidney toxicity by preventing the upsurge of liver enzymes markers and oxidative stress.

Key Words: Mercury chloride, Andrographis paniculata, Liver, Kidney