Aqueous Beetroot Juice Extract Improves Renal Function and Some Biochemical Parameters in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Toxicity in Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

Background: The ability of plant extracts to improve toxicity in the kidney is gaining attention. This may be due to the untoward effects and high cost of orthodox drugs used for the management of kidney disease, therefore, the use of aqueous beetroot juice as a potential ameliorative agent was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Group 1 received 2 ml/kg distilled water (normal control); Group II received 2 ml/kg olive oil; Group III received 2 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in olive oil 48 hourly (negative control); Group IV received 2 ml/kg CCl₄ in olive oil and 250 mg/kg of beetroot/day; Group V received 2 ml/kg CCl₄ in olive oil and 500 mg/kg of beetroot/ day; and Group VI received 2 ml/kg CCl₄ in olive oil and 100 mg/kg silymarin/day (positive control) for 14 days. Animals were euthanized, and blood was collected for the evaluation of electrolytes, urea, and creatinine, whereas the kidney tissue was assessed for histopathological changes. Results: There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of K⁺ in the group of rats administered 250 mg and 500 mg/kg of aqueous beetroot extract, when compared to negative control. The levels of Na⁺ were reduced in the treated groups when compared to normal control. There were no significant changes in Cl⁻ levels in all the group of animals. The urea levels decreased in the groups treated with extract or silymarin, and a similar trend of creatinine was observed in the groups administered beetroot extract. However, creatinine concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the group of rats administered only silymarin when compared to other groups. Histopathological evaluation revealed that the tubular necrosis observed in the kidney was ameliorated after beetroot juice administration. Conclusion: Beetroot juice showed nephroprotective effects against CCl⁴-induced renal toxicity.