PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON CUCURBITA PEPO AND LANTANA CAMARA EXTRACTS AND EVALUATING THEM AS NEPHROPROTECTIVE AGENT USING RAT MODEL

Abstract

Nephrotoxicity is the most common kidney compilation. It occurs due to exposure of our bodies to certain drugs or chemicals which cause a deficiency of the body antioxidants and increase the free radicals. It may be led to renal failure. Antioxidants are considered a good defense system in our bodies to reduce the risk of free radicals. So, an excess of external natural antioxidants is required from our diets. In the present study, the defatted methanolic extract of two local plants Lantana camara and Cucurbita pepo (Squash) in addition to certain fractions derived from them were evaluated as antioxidant and nephroprotective agents through the following steps:  Phytochemical screening of each defatted methanolic extract of (leaves, stems and flowers) of L. camara and C. pepo beside certain fractions derived from them were carried. The results showed the presence of sterols, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides and saponins in the