Background: Thioacetamide causes kidney dysfunction. Medical plants had been used to cure some kidney diseases. The present study was done to evaluate the protect effects of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root on disorder of kidney functions induced by thioacetamide in male rats.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 35 male rats were divided into 5 groups: control group, sham group received a single dose of 150mg/kg thioacetamide intraperitoneally, experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at the doses of 100, 200, and 300mg/kg daily orally during 3 months respectively and then a single dose of thioacetamide at 150 mg/kg as intraperitoneal injection. The serum levels of creatinine, BUN, sodium and potassium were measured.

Results: Pretreatment with the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at all doses increased the serum level of BUN compared to thioacetamide group, but there was no significant difference. Pretreatment with the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at all doses significantly reduced serum levels of potassium and sodium compared to thioacetamide group. Pretreatment with 300 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root significantly reduced serum level of creatinine compared to thioacetamide group.

Conclusion: Results showed protective effects of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root on functional kidney disorders induced by thioacetamide in male rats. The protective effects of this extract can be due to its antioxidant effects.

Keywords: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Thioacetamide, Kidney function, Male rat.