Nephrotoxic activity of methanolic extract of Sapindus laurifolius in rats

The Sapindus laurifolius methanolic leaf extract was evaluated for phytochemical analysis, acute and repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study in Wistar rats. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavanoids and glycosides. In acute toxicity study, S. laurifolius leaf extract was found to be non toxic up to 2 g/kg. In repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity, leaf extract administered at the doses 50, 200 and 800 mg/kg and limit dose of 1000 mg/kg. There was a significant (P< 0.05) increase in AST, ALT, BUN and serum creatinine in rats administered with high dose of leaf extract. The histopathological changes confined to liver, kidney and intestine, which revealed mild to moderate hepatotoxicity, severe nephrotoxicity and increased goblet cell activity. The changes were found to correlate with increased dose of leaf extract. Satellite group administered with 800 mg/kg of leaf extract revealed damage to the kidney and liver continued even after the treatment has been stopped or animals may require still longer duration for recovery.