Falcaria vulgaris L. hydroalcoholic extract protects against harmful effects of mercuric chloride on the rat kidney

Objective: Mercuric chloride (Merc; HgCl۲) is toxic to humans and animals and contributes to environmental pollution, which usually results in nerve and systemic harm to different organs. Falcaria vulgaris (FV) is a medicinal plant rich in antioxidants. This research aimed to assess the FV hydroalcoholic extract effects on kidney toxicity induced by Merc.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight male rats were divided into eight groups: the control group: received saline; the Merc group: received ۰.۵ ml/day of ۰.۵ ppm aqueous Merc; FV۱, ۲, and ۳ groups: received ۵۰, ۱۰۰, ۱۵۰ mg/kg FV, respectively; and Merc + FV۱, ۲, and ۳ groups: received Merc and FV at three doses. The administration period was ۱۴-days. Subsequently, kidneys and sera were cumulated from each group for the analysis. Samples were analyzed via hematoxylin-eosin staining and biochemical tests.Results: The rats that received Merc displayed significant decrement in the kidney index, the diameter of renal corpuscles, total antioxidant capacity levels, superoxide dismutase activity (all, p<۰.۰۱), and ۱۵۰ mg/kg FV mitigated these outcomes (all, p<۰.۰۵). Urea, creatinine, nitric oxide, and the level of apoptosis revealed a significant increment in the kidney of the rats that received Merc (all, p<۰.۰۱), and ۱۵۰ mg/kg FV decreased these results. Furthermore, FV ameliorated histological changes induced by Merc (all, p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The FV hydroalcoholic extract protects the kidneys against Merc-induced nephrotoxicity. Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic FV hydroalcoholic extract properties were involved in this healing effect.