Profiling of phenolic compounds using UPLC–Q-TOF-MS/MS and nephroprotective activity of Indian green leafy vegetable Merremia emarginata (Burm. f.)

The present study aimed at optimization and identification of phenolic compounds from Merremia emarginata (Burm. f.) through RP-HPLC and UPLC–MS/MS. Further, to investigate nephroprotective effect of M. emarginata against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino Wistar rats phenolic compound identification was carried out using UPLC–MS/MS in both positive and negative modes of ionization. There are about 29 known and 19 unknown phenolic compounds that have been detected in M. emarginata based on MS/MS fragmentation pattern. The nephrotoxicity was induced by gentamicin in albino Wistar rats through i.p. injection (20 mg/kg of b.wt) and the rats were treated orally with ethanol extract of M. emarginata (150, 200 and 250 mg/kg of b.wt) for fifteen days. Serum biochemical parameters were analyzed and histopathological study was carried out to evaluate nephroprotective activity. The histopathology study shows that compared to the control group, the kidney of the diseased group was highly damaged and the plant extract treated group shows regeneration of glomerular and tubular epithelial cells of damaged kidney.