title: Effects of Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (Alliaceae) rhizome methanolic extract on kidney function and morphology in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tulbaghia violacea has been used traditionally for the treatment of several ailments, including hypertension. The herb has been shown to have antihypertensive properties which have been attributed to its angiotensin-converting enzymeinhibitory (ACEI) activity. It could, therefore, prove beneficial in ameliorating renal pathology associated with hypertension. To evaluate the effects of long-term administration of Tulbaghia violacea on renal function and morphology in the Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male DSS rats were treated intra-peritoneally (i.p.) as follows: methanolic extract of Tulbaghia violacea: (TVL) (50 mg/kg/b.w.), captopril: (CAP) (25 mg/kg/b.w.), or distilled water, control: (CON) (3 ml/kg/b.w.). Blood pressure (BP) was measured bi-weekly, whilst 24-h urine volumes and electrolyte concentrations were assessed weekly. Animals were sacrificed on day 49 by halothane overdose. Blood was removed for determination of plasma and serum electrolytes. Left kidney tissues were harvested for the determination of nuclear factor-kappaβ (NF-kβ) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) gene expressions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TVL significantly reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). TVL showed reduced blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, total protein in urine as well as increased serum total protein. TVL decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide significantly. NF-kβ and TGF-β) gene expressions were significantly reduced in TVL and CAP treated rats. Moreover, renal morphology improved significantly in TVL and CAP treated animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TVL and CAP demonstrated marked improvement in renal function and morphology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kogi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moodley
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: Yougasphree
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa. Electronic address: mackraji@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mackraj
mesh_terms: D000490:Allium / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020303:Rats, Inbred Dahl; D027343:Rhizome; D012997:Solvents / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003404:Creatinine; D000432:Methanol
keywords: DSS rats; Kidney function; Renoprotection; Tulbaghia violacea