الفهرس 
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Abstract
Nephrotoxicity is the most common kidney compilation. It occurs due to exposure of our bodies to certain drugs or chemicals which cause a deficiency of the body antioxidants and increase the free radicals. It may be led to renal failure. Antioxidants are considered a good defense system in our bodies to reduce the risk of free radicals. So, an excess of external natural antioxidants is required from our diets.
In the present study, the defatted methanolic extract of two local plants Lantana camara and Cucurbita pepo (Squash) in addition to certain fractions derived from them were evaluated as antioxidant and nephroprotective agents through the following steps:
Phytochemical screening of each defatted methanolic extract of (leaves, stems and flowers) of L. camara and C. pepo beside certain fractions derived from them were carried. The results showed the presence of sterols, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides and saponins in the different parts of the two plants whereas the anthraquinones were absent.
Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents in each methanolic extract of (leaves, stem and flowers) of each plant as well as certain fractions derived from them were performed. The results proved that the defatted methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of L. camara have higher phenolic and flavonoid contents than other extracts.
Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the defatted methanolic extract of leaves, stem and flowers of each plant as well as fruits and seeds of C. pepo and certain fractions derived from them were carried out. The results proved that the defatted methanolic extract of (flowers, leaves and stems) and the ethyl acetate fraction of L. camara have higher antioxidant activity than other extracts. Also, the antioxidant activity of L. camara extracts was higher than C. Pepo (squash). The results showed that there is a clear positive correlation between the total phenolic, flavonoid contents and the antioxidant activity of the tested extracts or fractions of each plant.
Estimation of the acute toxicity of each defatted methanolic extract of the leaves of each plant under study was performed. The results revealed that the LD50 value was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg .b. wt.
Evaluation of the nephroprotective activity of each defatted methanolic extract of the leaves of L.camara and C. Pepo as well as certain fractions derived from L. camara methanolic extract against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats were carried out. The results appeared that the defatted methanolic extract of each plant and the ethyl acetate fraction have a high protective effect on the experimental rats against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Also, extracts of L. Camara have higher nephroprotective activity than C. pepo.
Owing to the high antioxidant and nephroprotective effects of L. camara extracts. These extracts were subjected to the following process:
1. The essential oils of leaves and flowers of L. camara were analyzed by GC-MS and the results revealed the presence of 47 compounds in leaves and 40 compounds in flowers. The major compounds in the leaves oil were 7(11) -selinen-4α-ol (14.50%) and cedrenol (6.50%) whereas, the major compounds in flowers oil were cedrenol (10.71%) and farnesyl acetone (7.15%).
2. The defatted methanolic extract of leaves L. Camara, as well as the ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions derived from it, were divided into two parts:
2a- The first part of these extracts was subjected to chromatographic separation using different techniques. The isolated compounds were identified by using certain spectroscopic analysis. from ethyl acetate fraction, three compounds were identified as p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1), methyl gallate (2) and Hispidulin (3) whereas, two isolated compounds from the butanolic fraction were elucidated as Pectolinarigenin (4) and diethyl phthalate (5).
2b- The second part of each methanolic extract of L. Camara as well as the ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions derived from it were subjected to HPLC-ESI-MS analysis followed by identification of the chemical constituents of these extracts. The results exhibited the presence of four phenolic acids, eleven flavonoid compounds, twenty-one phenylethanoids, one iridoid compound and tuberonic acid- O- glucoside.
Estimation of the nutritional potential of fruits, pulp and seeds of C. pepo was performed. The results showed that these parts have a high content of β-carotene and mineral as magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, manganese and calcium. Also, the fruits of C. pepo are a rich source of fibres and β- carotene whereas seeds are a rich source of fat and proteins.