Investigation of the Effect of Berberine with Arginase Activity and Oxidant-Antioxidant Parameters on Bortezomib-Induced Spleen Injury in Rats

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of berberine, one of the natural flavonoids, against spleen damage caused by bortezomib (BTZ), which was widely used in the treatment of cancer. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: a control group, BTZ-treated group, berberine alone treated group 100 mg / kg, , BTZ + berberine 50 mg/kg treated group, and BTZ+berberine 100 mg/kg treated group. Analysis results showed that BTZ caused oxidative stress by reducing antioxidant enzyme activities such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels, thereby increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels which is the end product of lipid peroxidation. However, by increasing the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, berberine was found to reduce BTZ-induced oxidative stress and MDA levels significantly. It was also observed that BTZ decreased the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and increased the total oxidant capacity (TOC) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, while the berberine made these parameters closer to the control group levels. Arginase activity was also measured in the study. When the results were examined, it was seen that BTZ suppressed arginase activity and BTZ and berberine combined administration regained arginase activity. Accordingly, it is thought that the berberine provides significant protection by lessening the oxidative and nitrosative stress triggered by BTZ in the spleen tissue, and after these results are supported by further studies, the berberine can be included among alternative treatment options.