Datura metel is traditionally used as a remedy for renal toxicity. However, the nephroprotection has not been scientifically validated yet. To evaluate the nephroprotective like effect of methanolic extract of D. metel in gentamicin induced mice model, mice of either sex were divided into groups. One group received normal saline as negative control. The 2 nd group received gentamicin 100mg/kg for 8 days as positive control, 3 rd group received 50mg/kg silymarin as standard, while the reaming groups received 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of MEDM and gentamicin 100mg/kg, for 8 days. The blood and urine samples were collected on 9 th day, animals were then dissected and whole kidneys were removed and preserved in formalin for later histological examinations. The level of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urine creatinine and urine urea were significantly (P<0.05) elevated and the renal MDA level was also elevated significantly (P<0.05) by gentamicin in mice. After the treatment of test animals with MEDM, the elevated level of serum and urine biomarkers by gentamicin were reversed by MEDM.The nephroprotective effect was found in dose dependent manner. As the MEDM significantly protected the nephrotoxicity via its antioxidant effect. The findings of our study thus proved the scientific background for the nephroprotective effect of MEDM.

Datura metel has been recommended in several human disorders including a remedy for liver toxicity. The current study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract of D. metel in animal model. Acute toxicity of methanolic crude extract of Datura metel (MEDM) was studied in animals in various doses 500-2000 mg/kg. Mice of either sex were divided into groups (n=6). One group received normal saline intraperitonially as negative control, while other gentamicin 100mg/kg for 8 days as positive control. 3 rd group received 50mg/kg silymarin as standard, 4 th group received 100mg/kg of MEDM, 5 th group received 200mg/kg MEDM while 6 th group received 300mg/kg MEDM and gentamicin 100mg/kg for 8 days. The blood samples were collected on 9 th day and the animals were then dissected and the liver of all the animals were isolated. MEDM was found safe in acute toxicity test at various doses up to 2000 mg/kg. The levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were elevated significantly with gentamicin treatment which significantly down-regulated by MEDM (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) in a dose dependent manner.. The histological examination showed that the MEDM has markedly treated the inflammatory infiltrate, fatty changes and congested blood vessels which were induced by gentamicin. The findings of our study thus proved the absolute of MEDM in acute toxicity test; followed by significant hepatoprotective effect in gentamicin induced hepatotoxic mice.

Phytochemical investigation on leaves, stem bark and roots of Malaysian Clausena excavata has led to the isolation and identification of limonoid compounds, clausenolide-1-methyl ether (1) and clausenarin (2), carbazole alkaloids, 3-formyl-2,7-dimethoxycarbazole (3) and clausine-K (4) together with coumarins, xanthyletin (5), dentatin (6) and nordentatin (7). Extracts of roots and isolated compounds (1), (2), (5) and (6) were subjected to cytotoxic screening against various cancer cell lines (HL-60, MCF-7, HeLa and HT-29). All roots extracts except methanol showed strong activity against HL-60 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 4 to 6 µg/ml. Dentatin (6) was found to be the most cytotoxic constituent against all cancer cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 5 to 10 µg/ml.