Effect of embelin on lithium–induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in albino rats

To evaluate the nephroprotective and anti–polyuric role of embelin on lithium induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) in albino rats. NDI induced by lithium chloride (4 meq/kg/day, i.p. for 6 days) which leads to huge amount of urine excretion. After induction of NDI, embelin (50 and 100mg/kg) was administered orally, once daily for 21 day in rats and N–acetyl cysteine (10mg/kg, twice daily, i.p.) was used as a standard drug for treatment of NDI. The body weight, urine protein, urine creatinine, plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen were assessed at 0, 7, 14 and 21 day. At the end of the study glutathione (GSH) content in kidney was assessed and histopathology of kidney was performed. Embelin 50 and 100 mg/kg showed increase in the body weight and decrease in plasma and urine creatinine, blood urea nitrogen levels, and urine protein level. Embelin acts as a potent antioxidant; it increases the level of glutathione in kidney. Histopathological examination of the kidney indicated that embelin 50 and 100 mg/kg were reduced the vascular degeneration of tubules as well as slight degeneration and dilatation of renal tubules, however N–actyl cysteine (NAC) treated rats showed normal glomeruli and renal tubule with slight degeneration. Embelin seemed to be effective in NDI by its predominant effect on promoting antioxidant status and decrease the urine excretion may be due to the blocking of sodium channels.