Effect of betulinic acid on kidney in surgical model of sepsis: a preliminary study

We investigated the effect of betulinic acid (BA) pretreatment on septic-kidney damage using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model in mice. Study used 5 groups each consisting of 6 mice. Sham control, CLP control and three CLP groups pretreated with BA at 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg dose. Animals were euthanized at 18 h, plasma and kidney samples were obtained for further investigation. CLP caused a significant decrease in mean survival time, T-SH levels; rise in kidney 8-isoprostane, plasma blood urea nitrogen, MPO levels and marked histopathological changes which were restored by BA pretreatment. BA partially restored kidney damage as revealed by amelioration of few vandalized biochemical parameters due to CLP. Further, definitive studies are required to find out the possible mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of BA in this model.