Chrysin attenuates paclitaxel-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats by suppressing oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis

Abstract

AimsPaclitaxel (Pax) is a chemotherapeutic drug from the taxane family that is used in the treatment of human cancer, including ovarian, breast, and non-small cell lung carcinoma. Chrysin (CR) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-diabetic, and anti-carcinogenic properties, as well as hepatoprotective and renoprotective activities. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of CR against Pax-induced hepatorenal toxicity on inflammation, apoptosis, antioxidant levels, oxidative DNA damage, and histopathology in rats. Material and methodsThirty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 7): Group I (normal control), Group II (CR alone at a dose of 50 mg/kg), Group III (Pax at a dose of 2 mg/kg), Group IV (Pax+CR 25), and Group V (Pax+CR 50). The expressions of apoptotic (Bax and Bcl-2) and antioxidant genes (SOD1, CAT, GPx3, and GST) were evaluated using RT-PCR from paraffin sections. Caspase 3, KIM-1, NF-kB, COX-2, and 8-OHdG were also determined by immunohistochemical examination. Key findingsThe results revealed that Pax exposure caused hepatic and renal damage in rats, which was indicated by a significant elevation of caspase 3, Bax, KIM-1, NF-kB, COX-2, and 8-OHdG. However, there was a marked downregulation in the expressions of the Bcl-2, SOD1, CAT, GPx3, and GST genes. In contrast, rats given CR in combination showed better gene expression, histological structure, and immunohistochemical staining results. SignificanceConsequently, CR exhibited the ability to reduce oxidative DNA damage, exert anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties, and mitigate the toxic effects of Pax-induced hepatorenal toxicity.