Renal protective effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract on morphine withdrawal in rats

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Morphine is widely used as a drug for treating chronic pain in post-operative and cancer patients. Unfortunately, over time, prolonged use of morphine can cause nephrotoxicity due to elevated level of oxidative stress. Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) commonly known as ‘fenugreek’ is well-known for its antioxidative properties. This study evaluated the renal protective effects of TFG on the morphine induced rats.

Materials and Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 Groups (n=8). The positive control and treatment Groups were administered morphine intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days. The treatment Groups were administered aqueous extract of TFG orally for 21 days. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and histological changes were studied. The oxidative stress in the kidney tissue was studied by measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH) in the tissue homogenate.

Results: The kidney weights were significantly reduced in morphine administered rats compared to the aqueous TFG extract treated Groups. Histological examinations revealed a greater number of healthy glomeruli and thick renal tubules in the aqueous TFG extract treated rats. In morphine administered rats, the oxidative stress was higher with the MDA level significantly increased while the levels of SOD, TAC and GSH were reduced compared to normal rats.

Conclusion: The aqueous TFG extract treatment reduced the oxidative stress in the kidneys of the morphine administered rats. The nephroprotective effects of aqueous TFG extract may be related to its antioxidant activity.