Toxicological evaluation of Rubia cordifolia root extract on heart and kidney of rat model

Abstract

Rubia cordifolia (Manjistha), is a plant which has an immense significance in Chinese and Indian medicine. The scientific databases has reported that the plant is widely used in treatment of heart failure, platelet aggregation, myocardial ischemia, kidney dysfunctioning, oxidative damage and can promote blood circulation, cardio protection, protection against nephrotoxicity and other functions. This study attempts to evaluate the toxicological effects on heart and kidney through a biochemical and histopathological study where two (High = 1500 mg/kg and low = 150 mg/kg) doses of plant were used. Therefore, the body weight of rats were increased from day 0-28 observation. Through a biochemical study, the uric acid and creatinine levels were found lower in both high and low dose and the urea level was found higher in high dose of the extract. Through histopathological study in kidney, only mild interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes were found and not any toxic effects on heart. Therefore, further study can be done to confirm the toxicity profile.