The effect of Fumaria officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in New Zealand rabbits

Fumaria officinalis is one of the herbal medicines used in Iran extensively. There are many useful properties recognized for this plant, but there is no information about its side effects specially in long term and at high doses. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of Fumaria officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on the BUN and serum creatinine concentrations as indicators of kidney function. Thirty adult male New Zealand rabbits were chosen randomly and were divided into three groups of ten. The control group did not receive any drug. Two experimental groups received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of Fumaria officinalis extract for 28 days (groups two and three, respectively). On day-28 blood samples were taken, BUN and creatinine concentrations were assayed by enzymatic methods. In the present study the Fumaria officinalis hydroalcoholic extract administration increased BUN and serum creatinine concentrations significantly in group1, but BUN decreased and serum creatinine increased significantly in group 2(P<0.05). It was concluded that high doses of hydroalcoholic extract of Fumaria officinalis can have detrimental effects on renal and hepatic function but in medium doses cause renal failure.