Protective effects of Saraca indica L. leaves extract (family Fabaceae) against gamma irradiation induced injury in the kidney of female albino rats.

This work was designed to estimate the protective effect of Saraca indica L. leaves ethanolic exract against γ-irradiation induced renal damage in rats. Phytochemical examinations of S. indica L. leaves extract resulted in the separation of three flavanone glycosides: Astilibin (1), Neoastilbin (2), and Eriodictyol-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (3); two flavonols: Quercetin (4) and Quercetin-3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1'''-6'')-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (5) in addition of Gallic acid (6) and methyl gallate (7). Their structures elucidated by chemical evidences and spectroscopic analysis (1 and 2D-NMR, -ESI-MS, UV). Female rats were used and classified into: control, Ext (200 mg/kg body wt/day orally for 7 days), IRR (8Gy), Ext + IRR, and Sily+IRR groups (received silymarin 50 mg/kg b.wt orally as reference drug). Results showed that S. indica L. leaves extract ameliorated the kidney function tests, hs-CRP, IL-1β, ACE, TNF-α, GSH, and MDA as well as, decreased the histopathological changes of kidney. In conclusion, S. indica L. leaves extract had a renoprotective activity against irradiation induced renal injury due to its flavononid contents.