Therapeutic Effects of Rocket Leaves (Eruca sativa) against Hepato-Renal Toxicity Caused by Xylene in Wistar Rats

Nutritious foods like vegetables and fruits have therapeutic potential in treatment of many human diseases. Several bioactive compounds have been extracted from plants and fruits, especially antioxidants which aid protect against oxidative stress. This study was conducted on Albino Wistar rats to investigate the antioxidant effect of Eruca sativa on the hepatic and renal profile damaged by xylene. Seventy rats were divided into seven equal groups and treated by gavage for 30 days as follows: Control group (C), group (CO), positive control group (RE) was received 350 mg / Kg bw of Eruca sativa aqueous extract (ESAE), 2 toxic groups X1 and X2 were treated with xylene at two doses 400 and 800 mg / Kg bw and 2 combination groups REX1 and REX2 were treated with ESAE (350 mg/kg bw) combined with 400 and 800 mg/Kg xylene respectively. The results revealed that oral treatment with xylene (X1 and X2) caused hepatic and renal dysfunction, which was manifested by a significant elevation of AST, ALT, ALP, urea, uric acid and creatinine plasma levels. Additionally, a significant decrease in GSH levels and GPx activity accompanied with an increase in MDA levels were noted due to the exposition of xylene. However, animals that received ESAE with xylene (REX1 and REX2) showed an adjustment of these perturbations, by a significant decrease in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, urea, uric acid, creatinine and MDA. As well as an increase in GSH levels and GPx activity compared to X1 and X2 groups. The histological profile of toxic groups showed pathological changes in liver and kidney tissue were characterized by sinusoidal and tubular dilatation, hemorrhage, hepatocyte necrosis and glomerular degeneration, the effect of ESAE was effective in modified these damages into semi normal.To conclude, xylene administration induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in wistar rats, while the combination of this solvent with rocket aqueous extract (Eruca sativa) attenuated this toxicity thanks to its antioxidant property.