Understanding the role of homoeopathic preparation of Berberis vulgaris in mitigation of sodium oxalate- induced hyperoxaluria: An experimental approach

Authors

Bhavani Tamilarasan, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Porkodi Karthikeyan, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Pugazhendhi Kannan, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Kalaiselvi Periandavan, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Raj Manchanda, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
Anil Khurana, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
Debadatta Nayak, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
Shanthi Palainivelu, Pathology, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Keywords

Acute hyperoxaluria, Berberis vulgaris, Homoeopathy, NADPH oxidase, Oxidative stress, Reactive oxygen species

Article Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the kidneys lead to overproduction of reactive oxygen species, resulting in the development of oxidative stress and renal injury. At the cellular levels, mitochondria and NADPH oxidase involved in reactive oxygen species production play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hyperoxaluria-induced renal injury. Objective: The objective was to investigate the therapeutical effect of homoeopathic drug Berberis vulgaris, a potent antioxidant, upon regulation of NADPH oxidase against acute high-grade sodium oxalate-induced hyperoxaluria in rats. Materials and Methods: Hyperoxaluria was induced in male Wistar rats by administering a single dose of sodium oxalate (70 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally, and the treatment groups were pre-treated with homoeopathic drug Berberis vulgaris 6c (20 μl/100 g of body weight) ultra low dose for 7 days. Results: Berberis vulgaris significantly reduces hyperoxaluria-induced oxidative stress and restores antioxidant enzyme activities in kidney tissue. Histological analysis depicted that Berberis vulgaris treatment decreases renal epithelial damage and inflammation and restored normal glomerular morphology. Furthermore, immunoblotting analyses of NADPH oxidase revealed significant increased activity in the renal tissue of hyperoxaluric rats when compared to that of control rats. This has been brought back to normal by Berberis vulgaris treatment. Conclusion: Thus, our results emphasised that the Homoeopathy drug Berberis vulgaris has been effective in ameliorating sodium oxalate-induced acute hyperoxaluria in Wistar rats by modulating mitochondrial oxidative stress through the inhibition of NADPH oxidase.

Digital Object Identifier

10.4103/ijrh.ijrh_44_20

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd.

How to cite this article

Tamilarasan B, Karthikeyan P, Kannan P, et al. Understanding the role of homoeopathic preparation of Berberis vulgaris in mitigation of sodium oxalate- induced hyperoxaluria: An experimental approach. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2020;14(4):251-259. doi: 10.4103/ijrh.ijrh_44_20