Effect of Black Radish Hydroalcoholic Extract on Kidney and Functional Kidney in Balb/c Mice

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of black radish (Raphanus sativua) on complete blood cell count and kidney function in mice. Forty white mice were divided into four equal groups. Mice in the control group received only saline solution and mice in the second to fourth groups received 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of black radish plant extract, respectively, by intraperitoneal injection. After a 21-day trial period, blood samples were taken from the heart to count complete blood cells (hematocrit, hemoglobin, red and white blood cells) and urea nitrogen and creatinine in serum were measured. The results showed that treatment with black radish extract in any of the studied doses did not cause a significant change in blood cell count and nitrogen urea and creatinine (p < 0.05). These results were confirmed by histopathological examination of the kidney. Treatment of mice with horseradish extract resulted in a non-significant decrease in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine compared to the control group. Also, with increasing the dose of the extract, the amount of urea nitrogen and creatinine in each group decreased compared to the previous group, although this decrease was not significant (p < 0.05). The results of the present study indicate the extract in the doses used in the study, is not nephrotoxic and it can be said that under physiological conditions, the use of hydroalcoholic extract of radish not only has no toxic effect on the kidney in high doses, but also has positive effects on kidney function.