INVESTIGATION OF THE RENO PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF HERBAL PLANT EXTRACT ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS

The present study investigated the nephroprotective potential of Golden leather fern, a traditionally used mangrove fern with reported medicinal properties. The plant was selected based on ethnobotanical evidence supporting its role in renal and oxidative stress–related disorders. Fresh plant material was collected, authenticated, shade-dried, powdered, and subjected to Soxhlet extraction to obtain bioactive constituents. The percentage yield was calculated to assess extraction efficiency. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed to identify major classes of bioactive compounds, and quantitative estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents was carried out using standard colorimetric assays. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Acute oral toxicity studies were conducted according to OECD guidelines to establish the safety profile and determine appropriate dose levels. Nephroprotective activity was assessed in albino rats with experimentally induced nephrotoxicity. Renal function was evaluated by measuring urine output, body weight changes, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels. Histopathological examination of kidney tissues was performed to assess structural and cellular alterations. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated a significant nephroprotective effect of the plant extract, likely mediated through its antioxidant and phytochemical constituents. The findings support the traditional use of Golden leather fern and suggest its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for the management of renal disorders.