Time Course of the Protective Effect of Decoction of Selaginella lepidophylla in Chromium VI-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Hexavalent chromium induces nephrotoxicity and carcinogenesis by oxidative stress. Decoction of Selaginella lepidophylla (Hook. & Grev.) Spring, Selaginellaceae, is widely used against kidney diseases in Mexican traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the protective activity of decoction of S. lepidophylla in chromium 6⁺-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Nephrotoxicity was induced by the administration of potassium dichromate (15 mg/kg) in rats. Animals were distributed into control and chromium-intoxicated rats without treatment and treated with decoction of the plant at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg for 7 days. Blood, urine, and kidneys were obtained at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 of treatments. Rats with nephrotoxicity showed a decrease of urinary volume, creatinine clearance, active tubular secretion, and electrolyte balance, but an increment in serum creatinine, ROS production, and lipid peroxidation in the kidney. After treatment with decoction of the plant, renal function was recovered since days 3 and 5 at tested doses. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]