AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF CURRY LEAF AQUEOUS EXTRACT AGAINST LEAD ACETATE- INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RAT KIDNEYS

Objective: Aim of the study is to find therapeutic potentials of aqueous extract of Murraya koenigii (CuLE) against lead induced oxidative damage in renal tissues of rats. Methods: Rats were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with lead acetate (15mg/kg body weight), another group was pre-treated with CuLE (50 mg / kg, fed orally), the positive control group was fed CuLE (50 mg / kg), and the control animals received vehicle treatment (i.p.) for 7 consecutive days. Concentration of lead in renal tissue was quantified using AAS study. The changes in the activity of the different bio-markers of renal damage, biomarkers of oxidative stress, activities of the antioxidant and some of the mitochondrial enzymes were studied. Histomorphology was studied through H-E staining and alteration in tissue collagen level was studied through Sirius red staining and confocal imaging. Results: Lead acetate caused changes in all the parameters evaluated. All these changes were ameliorated when the rats were pre-treated with CuLE. Concentrations of lead in kidneys were also decreased following pre-treatment of rats with CuLE.