Nephroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark against acetaminophen induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats

Objective: To investigate the protective activity of ethanolic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark (EECZB) against acetaminophen induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Methods: Wistar albino rats (150-200 g) were divided into six groups and toxicity was induced by acetaminophen (750 mg/kg) for 10 days. 100 and 200 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark and 100 mg/kg of silymarin as a reference standard was treated to rats 2 h before acetaminophen administration. Various biochemical parameters like serum urea, serum creatinine, uric acid and total protein levels and antioxidant activity were determined. Histopathological analyses of kidney injury were also determined. Result: Treatment with ethanolic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark (100, 200 mg/kg, bw) significantly (p˂0.001, p˂0.01) decreased serum urea and serum creatinine as compared with acetaminophen rats. Decreased levels of uric acid and total protein were also significantly restored with extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark treatment. Silymarin significantly (p˂0.001) decreased serum urea and serum creatinine as compared with acetaminophen rats. It is also significantly restored the altered levels of SOD, CAT and GSH in kidney tissue. Apart from these, extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark treatment also reduced histopathological alteration induced by acetaminophen in kidney. Conclusion: It was observed that ethanolic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark has a significant nephroprotective activity against acetaminophen induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Keywords: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, acetaminophen, nephroprotective activity