Nephroprotective Effect of Withania somnifera: A Dose-Dependent Study

Figures & data

Table 1  Active compounds of Withania somnifera^[35]

Name / S. No.
Withaferin A
Diacetylwithaferin A
2,3-Dihydrowithaferin A
Withanolide viscosa lactone B
27-o-β-D-Glucopyranosyl viscosa lactone B
Dihydrowithaferin A
27-o-Glucopyranosylwithaferin A
Withanoside I-VII
24,25-Dihydro-27-desoxywithaferin A
Physagulin D(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside
Sitoindosides VII-X
27- o-β-D-Glucopyranosylphysagulin D
5-Dehydroxywithanolide R
Withasomniferin A
1-Oxo-5β,6β-epoxy-witha-2-ene-27-ethoxy-olide
4-(1-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanone)-2,3-dihydrowithaferin A
D-Glucopyranosyl
D-Glucopyranoside
4,16-Dihydroxy-5β,6β-epoxyphysagulin D

Figure 1.  A. Effect of W. somnifera on changes in body weight of normal and experimental rats. Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript (a, b, c, d) differ significantly at p < 0.05 (DMRT). B. Effect of W. somnifera on changes in kidney weight of normal and experimental rats. Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript (a, b, c, d) differ significantly at p < 0.05 (DMRT).

Figure 2.  C. Effect of W. somnifera on plasma urea of normal and experimental rats. Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript (a, b, c, d) differ significantly at p < 0.05 (DMRT). D. Effect of W. somnifera on the levels of plasma creatinine of normal and experimental rats. Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript (a, b, c, d) differ significantly at p < 0.05 (DMRT). E. Levels of urinary protein of normal and experimental rats. Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript (a, b, c, d) differ significantly at p < 0.05 (DMRT). F. Levels of urinary glucose of normal and experimental rats. Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript (a, b, c, d) differ significantly at p < 0.05 (DMRT). G. Effect of W. somnifera on changes in sodium and potassium levels of normal and experimental rats. Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group. Values not sharing a common superscript (a, b, c, d) differ significantly at p < 0.05 (DMRT).

Figure 3.  A. Control rats (renal tubules appears normal) (H & E 100×). B. GEN (→) severe renal tubular necrosis and interstitial inflammatory infilterate (H & E 100×). C. GEN + W. somnifera (250 mg/kg b.wt) moderate necrosis and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate (H & E 100×). D. GEN + W. somnifera (500 mg/kg b.wt) mild necrosis, no casts and inflammatory infiltrate (H & E 100×). E. GEN + W. somnifera (750 mg/kg b.wt) less necrosis, cast with tubules and mild inflammatory infiltrate (H & E 100×).

Table 2  Renal histological changes in rat kidney

Group	Tubular necrosis (arbitory score)
Control rats	―
GEN	+++
GEN + W. somnifera (250 mg/kg b.wt)	++
GEN + W. somnifera (500 mg/kg b.wt)	+
GEN + W. somnifera (750 mg/kg b.wt)	++

Padmavathi B, Rath PC, Rao AR, Singh RP. Roots of Withania somnifera inhibit fore stomach and skin carcinogenesis in mice. eCAM. 2005;2:99–105.

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