Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry

Leucas aspera (Lamiaceae) is a herbaceous medicinal plant used to treat inflammation, skin infections etc in India and other Asian countries. Lead acetate, a common contaminate in water causes liver and kidney necrosis in man and animals. The aim of the present study is to investigate the nephroprotective and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract of L. aspera in three dose levels of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg respectively on lead acetate induced toxicity in rats and comparing it with the marketed formulation of Silymarin. Biochemical studies show that there is an reduction in the levels of super oxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, catalase and total proteins in Lead acetate induced groups. These values are retrieved significantly by treatment with L. aspera extracts at three different doses. Apart from these, histopathological changes also reveal the protective nature of the L. aspera extract against lead acetate induced necrotic damage of renal tissues. In conclusion, these data suggest that the methanolic extract of L.aspera can prevent renal damage from lead acetate induced nephrotoxicity in rats and it is likely to be mediated through its antioxidant activities.