Hepatorenoprotective effects of Lepidium draba L. extracts against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative injuries in rats via reducing apoptosis and inflammation

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Lepidium draba L. (L. draba) on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats.

Methods: A total of 36 rats were divided into six groups as follows: the sham control group, the CP group (CP 100 mg/kg i.p. on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35), the CP groups treated with L. draba extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of L. draba extract for 28 d), and the L. draba extract alone group (400 mg/kg of L. draba extract for 28 d). Serum parameters of renal and hepatic function, as well as pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines associated with liver and kidney damage were measured. Moreover, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 gene expression and histopathological changes were assessed.

Results: L. draba extract alleviated CP-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by decreasing nitric oxide, TBARS, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-Ιβ levels, as well as increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and FRAP, MIF, and TGF-β levels. In addition, the extract downregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and caspase-3) and mitigated the destruction of glomeruli and renal tubules as well as the degeneration of hepatocytes.

Conclusions: L. draba extract can protect hepatic and renal structure and function against CP-induced toxicities, and may be used as a therapeutic agent for CP-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Keywords

Lepidium draba / Cyclophosphamide / Oxidative stress / Antioxidant / Apoptosis / Hepatotoxicity / Nephrotoxicity

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

This study was supported by the Basic Research Joint Special General Project of Yunnan Provincial Local Universities (part) (No: 202301BA070001-029, 202301BA070001-044) and Yunnan Province High-level Scientific and Technological Talents and Innovation Team Selection Special Young and Middle-aged Academic and Technical Leaders Reserve Talent Project (No: 202405AC350067).

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.

Authors’ contributions

YY contributed in writing draft. SZ and CZ conducted the experimental design and protocol preparation. YC and PL performed statistical analysis and laboratory tests. XZ reviewed the manuscript draft. LL developed the conceptualization and supervised the project.

Publisher’s note

The Publisher of the Journal remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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