Chemical composition and nephroprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and rhizomes of Smilax purhampuy R. from Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: species of the genus Smilax are a vital source of potentially useful compounds that may be effective as nephroprotective agents, but there is little scientific evidence to support such claims.Objective: to analyze the chemical composition and nephroprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and rhizomes of Smilax purhampuy. Methods: hydroalcoholic extracts were elaborated by maceration and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity model was tested in Wistar rats at a dose of 80 mg/kg i.p. and extracts were administered orally at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. Serum creatinine and serum urea were quantified, and histopathological observations of the kidneys were performed. Results: in the extract of leaves, 33 compounds were identified, where the majority were palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acid. In the extract of rhizomes 23 phytoconstituents were recognized, predominantly stearic acid, dihydrocorinanteina and palmitic acid. There was evidence of a significant decrease in the level of creatinine and urea in the groups protected with extracts of leaves and rhizomes with respect to the gentamicin group in a direct relationship to the dose of the extracts. Renal histopathological changes were observed in the gentamicin group, while the groups receiving the extracts decreased the severity of damage. Conclusions: the results indicate that Smilax purhampuy has a potential role in improving gentamicin-induced kidney damage, providing the first findings on its nephroprotective activity