OBJECTIVE To evaluate the nephroprotective effect of methanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa (HSME) (Acanthaceae) in (CP)-induced acute renal failure in rats. METHODS HSME (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight), were administered orally to male wistar albino rats.CP was used to induce acute renal failure. The parameters studied included blood urea and serum creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH peroxidase activities. Histopathological examination was also carried out. RESULTS The results revealed that HSME pretreatment signiûcantly reduced blood urea and serum creatinine levels elevated by CP administration. Furthermore, HSME signiûcantly attenuated CP-induced increase in MDA and decrease in reduced GSH, and CAT and SOD and GSH peroxidase activities in renal cortical homogenates. Additionally, histopathological examination showed that HSME markedly ameliorated CP-induced renal tubular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the aerial parts of H. spinosa are endowed with nephroprotective activity.