Frankincense administration antagonizes adenine-induced chronic renal failure in rats

Abstract

Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) treatment through kidney transplantation or dialysis is restricted because of economic and medical resources deficiency. Thus, demand for using dietary supplements that can delete or ameliorate uremia or even to delay the need for dialysis is rising. Objectives: This study is the first one conducted to evaluate the efficacy of frankincense aqueous extract on CRF induced by adenine in rats. Materials and Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: control, frankincense, adenine, and frankincense + adenine. Kidney function tests, liver function tests, minerals' levels, antioxidant status, and histopathological alterations were investigated. Results: Results showed significant increases in relative kidney weight, serum level of urea, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, phosphorous, cholesterol, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in adenine group, as well as significant decreases in body weight, calcium, total protein, and albumin. Significant elevation was also demonstrated in lipid peroxidation marker associated with depletion in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in tissues of kidney and liver. In addition, there were marked histopathological changes of kidney and liver. Conclusion: Study results demonstrated that co-administration of frankincense aqueous extract with adenine is an effective way to reduce the signs of adenine-induced CRF and have returned them to almost completely normal levels. Abbreviations used: CRF: Chronic renal failure; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; CKD: Chronic kidney disease; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; MDA: Malondialdehyde; H and E: Hematoxylin and eosin; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; PTH: Parathyroid hormone.