Protective effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Allium cepa on biochemical and morphometric parameters of mice kidneys exposed to formaldehyde

Background and Aim: Formaldehyde is an air contaminant which has wide applicat ions in industry and medicine and its destructive effects have be en reported on the body systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different doses of onion extract on biochemical parameters and histopathology of mice kidneys expos d to formaldehyde. Material and Methods: 48 adult male mice were randomly divided into six groups. The control group did not receive any injection. The second group re ceived formaldehyde 10 mg/kg for 14 days and the 3 , 4 ,5 and 6 groups received 5,10,20 and 40 mg/kg/day of onion extract respectively in addition to intraperitoneal dose s of formaldehyde. After 14 days, tissue preparation was done and using stereological techniqu e, the sizes of the kidneys and glomeruli were measured. Also, serum urea and creatinin levels were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: We found significant decrease in the number of renal glom eruli in all of the groups that received onion and also decrease in the volume of glom eruli in the group which had received 10 mg onion/day, compared to those in the control group (P = 0.000). There were significant increase in the level of urea in the grou ps which had receiv ed doses of 10 and 20 mg of onion and in the creatinine levels of the groups whi ch ad received daily doses of 5, 20 and 40 mg of onion compared to those in the control group (P = 0.000). F ormaldehyde caused renal damage and an increase in the levels of urea and creatinine as well as a decrease in the number and volume of the glomeruli of the kidneys. Conclusion: Administration of daily doses of 40 mg hydro-alcoholic extrac t of onion for two weeks caused protective effect on kidney tissue exposed to the f rmaldehyde.