Berberis aristata reduces vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity by down-regulation of cell proliferation markers

Abstract

IntroductionVancomycin is used to treat bacterial infections but there is a risk of nephrotoxicity associated with it. Oxidative stress is the possible cause of this nephrotoxicity. Plant extracts have long been used in fighting oxidative stress and have proved quite useful. The present study investigated the treatment potential of Berberis aristata root extract against nephrotoxicity induced by vancomycin. MethodsB. aristata was collected from Chikar Valley, Azad Kashmir, identified, and later analyzed by High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Vero cells were used to determine the effects of B. aristata extract. For the determination of apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects cells were divided into three major groups; Control, Vancomycin, and Treated. The control groups were either left untreated or treated with 0.1% DMSO. Vancomycin group was treated with 0.6 mg/mL, 3 mg/mL, and 6 mg/mL of vancomycin, while treated groups were treated with (100 µg/mL, 200 µg/mL, 400 µg/mL) along with various vancomycin (0.6 mg/mL, 3 mg/mL, and 6 mg/mL) concentrations. The mRNA expression of antioxidant and proliferative markers (p53, p21, Cas 4, Cas 5, Cas 9, and Cyt-c) was assessed by qPCR. ResultsHPLC chromatogram indicated the presence of berberine component by comparing the peaks at retention time. The mRNA expression of all selected markers was found to be upregulated in the vancomycin group with a decrease of expression in treated groups, indicating the recovery from vancomycin-induced damage to kidney cells. ConclusionB. aristata extract can be used along with vancomycin treatment to minimize its toxicity.