Protective effects of various fractions of Launaea procumbens on molecular markers in rat kidney

Molecular markers; DNA, argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNORs) and telomerase enzymes play important role in diagnosis of nephrotoxicity induced by potassium bromate (KBrO3). In the present study, the effects of Launaea procumbens against KBrO3 induced molecular changes in male rats are determined. 36 male albino rats (180 to 200 g) were divided into 6 groups. Group I was given saline (1 ml/kg body weight (b.w.), 0.85% NaCl) and DMSO (1 ml/kg b.w.); group II was treated with KBrO3 (20 mg/kg b.w., i.p.); group III, IV, V and VI were administered with KBrO3 and after 48 h with L. procumbens methanolic extract (200 mg/kg b.w. LPME), chloroform extract (200 mg/kg b.w. LPCE), ethyl acetate extract (200 mg/kg b.w. LPEE), and n-hexane extract (200 mg/kg b.w. LPHE), respectively. All the treatments were given twice a week for four weeks. The results revealed that KBrO3 induced oxidative stress as evidenced by the significant alteration in DNA, AgNORs and telomeres enzymes of kidney which was restored with various fractions of L. procumbens might be due the presence of bioactive compounds.   Key words: Argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNORs), Launaea procumbens, DNA, Telomerase enzymes.