Spirulina, filamentous blue green mycobacterium belongs to the family Oscillatoriaceae and is generally known as a valuable additional food and medicinal, neutraceutical as well as a therapeutic agent. Besides, Spirulina platensis also possess potent antiviral, antimutagenic, anticancerous and cholesterol lowering activity. But, to date, there is no study demonstrating the protective effect of Spirulina platensis on cadmium induced nephrotoxicity. Protective effect of oral administration of Spirulina platensis extract (1000mg/5ml/kg, once daily) on cadmium (2mg/kg, subcutaneously, 15 days) induced renal toxicity was investigated in albino rats. Renal injury was assayed by measuring serum creatinine and serum urea. Renal oxidative stress was determined by renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, enzymatic activity of superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Statistically significant amelioration in all the serum and biochemical parameters supported by significantly improved renal cortical histology was observed in the Spirulina platensis treated nephrotoxic rats. It is suggested that some ingredients contained in the extract of Spirulina platensis effected in ameliorating the signs of nephrotoxicity and that the specific active principle of the Spirulina platensis responsible for this amelioration if obtained, would be more useful.
