Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate toxic effects of different concentration of the Aristolochia debilis Sieb. et Zucc. on renal functions in rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into low dosage group (treated with A. debilisSieb.et Zucc at a dose of 0.81 g.kg^-1.d^-1 for three months), moderate dosage group (at a dose of 4.05 g.kg^-1.d^-1), high dosage group (at a dose of 8.1 g.kg^-1.d^-1) and control group. The renal function and urine nacety-β-D-amino-glucosidase (NAG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) was measured in 1, 2 and 3 months. The histopathological changes were examined by light and electron microscopy. The urine NAG level was elevated in High dosage group and Moderate dosage group, but there were no significant differences of BUN and serum creatinine among four groups. The renal histopathological examination showed that slight tubular-interstitial injury was detected in moderate dosage group and obvious renal injury was observed in High dosage group. Nevertheless, there were no renal abnormalities in Low dosage group. In summary, low dosage of A. debilis Sieb.et Zucc was rather safety and did not cause the renal toxicity. Nevertheless, moderate and high dosage of A. debilis Sieb.et Zucc may impair renal function and induce renal tubular-interstitial injury.

Key words: Aristolochia debilis Sieb.et Zucc., aristolochic acid, renal injury, NAG, BUN.