Methanol extract of Bauhinia forficata leaves reduced serum creatinine level and prevented the elevation of hepatic enzymes in mice exposed to gentamicin and acetaminophen: an exploratory study

Kidney and liver diseases are a public health problem worldwide. Pharmacological management usually prevents its progress even if indirectly. Currently, more alternative treatments based on traditional medicine and medicinal plants are considered. Bauhinia forficata is widely distributed in South America and is used for its hepatoprotective and nephroprotective properties. This study was designed to preliminarily assess the nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effect of the methanol extract of B. forficata leaves (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, per os) in Swiss albino mice. Acute kidney injury was induced with gentamicin (135 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), followed by determination of creatinine, urea, uric acid, and electrolyte levels in urine and serum. Acute liver damage was induced by acetaminophen (300 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), followed by determination of a serum liver profile of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. All tested doses of the extract were able to induce a significant reduction in serum creatinine levels, compared to untreated animals. Moreover, the extract effectively prevented the elevation of hepatic enzyme activity induced by acetaminophen. It is concluded that the extract of B. forficata leaves has nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects in a mouse model of hepato and nephrotoxicity, which is compatible with traditional use.