Nephroprotective activity of Boerhavia diffusa

Nephrotoxicity is one of the most common kidney disorders which occurs when the body is exposed to accumulation of drug or toxin and not able to excrete. A number of therapeutic drugs such as antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents etc., can weaken the kidney function resulting in acute renal failure, chronic interstitial nephritis, impair the renal function and may also lead to toxicity. The phytochemical review of the plant reveals the presence of many bioactive compounds such as sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids and alkaloids with different biological activities. These compounds possess potent nephroprotective properties. The extracts of the plants reviewed exhibited significant dose-dependent nephroprotective and nephron-curative activity.