Launaea taraxacifolia Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Hepato-renal Injury

Aims: The protective potential of aqueous leaf extract of Launaea taraxacifolia against Cisplatin-induced hepato-renal damage in Wistar rats.

Study Design: Randomized controlled experiment

Place and Duration of Study: Experimental Animal Unit and Department of Anatomy, University of Ibadan between July and September, 2013.

Methodology: Thirty rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group A- control; Group B- cisplatin (CIS) alone; Group C and D- Launea taraxacifolia (LT) 100 mg and 400 mg respectively and Group E and F- treated with LT 100 mg and 400 mg respectively and then given CIS. Kidney and liver sections were taken for histopathological evaluations. Serum samples were taken for alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], bilirubin [BIL], total protein (TP), albumin [ALB], blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CREAT) level assessments. The remaining tissues were processed for the assessment of biochemical markers of oxidative stress: Lipid peroxidation (LPO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione (GSH).

Results: Hepatorenal histological toxicities were observed in rats exclusively exposed to cisplatin while dose-dependent ameliorations of these histopathologies were seen in those with combined exposure (Groups E and F) with the aqueous extract of Launaea taraxacifolia and virtually normal histoarchitecture was seen in extract alone treated rats. The hepatic (ALT, AST, BIL) and renal (BUN and CREAT) injury markers significantly (p<0.05) increased in groups exclusively exposed to cisplatin with less severity in co-treated (E and F) groups. The oxidative stress markers, LPO, SOD and CAT levels which were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in cisplatin exclusively exposed Group B, were not altered in other groups when compared with control. However, glutathione level significantly decrease (p<0.05) in GSH levels in kidney and liver tissues of (Group B) cisplatin alone relative to control.

Conclusion: Launaea taraxacifolia provides protection against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal damage through its antioxidant activities.