Abstract
Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is widely used as a bacteriostatic and preservative for meats and fish. Meanwhile, NaNO2 is also associated with detrimental health effects on liver and kidney. Moreover, no scientific validation is available for traditionally used Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. (Guduchi) in NaNO2 induced oxidative stress. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extract of stems of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) (ETC) in NaNO2 induced oxidative stress, hepatic and renal dysfunction. Twenty–four adult male Sprague–Drawly rats were daily treated with sodium nitrite (80 mg/kg) in the presence or absence of ETC (200 mg/kg) for three months. Biochemical and morphological changes were assessed in liver and kidney sections. ETC significantly restored SOD, catalase and glutathione level compared with sodium nitrite. ETC also reduced serum SGOT, SGPT, urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide level as compared to sodium nitrite treated group. Therefore, It is suggested that ETC has hepato– and nephro–protective effect against sodium nitrite–induced oxidative stress.
