Objective: To investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora (EPS) on renal function and tissue damage in a rat remnant kidney model.
Methods: Rat models of chronic kidney disease induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) were randomly assigned into two groups for treatment with a gavage of either EPS or vehicle for 9 weeks. The rats in the control group received only sham operation.
Results: Compared with vehicle-treated 5/6 Nx rats, the EPS-treated rats displayed significantly decreased urinary excretion of malondialdehyde, serum levels of AGEs and AOPPs, and increased serum SeGSHPx activities. These changes were associated with attenuated urinary protein excretion, glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis.
Conclusion: EPS can obviously improve the renal functions and renal pathologies in rats with chronic kidney disease probably by inhibiting the oxidative stress.