Prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity by Ethanolic Extract of Embelia ribes Fruits and ?-Tocopherol in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Oxidative stress due to abnormal production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is believed to be involved in the etiology of toxicity of many xenobiotics. Evidence suggests that in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, ROS is involved. We studied the nephroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Embelia ribes fruits alone and in combination with vitamin E (?-tocopherol) in cisplatin (12mg/kg i.p)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. The results of the study indicated that Embelia ribes fruits significantly and dose dependently protected the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in cisplatin alone treated groups were significantly elevated (P < 0.01) with respect to control group. The serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were reduced in the Embelia ribes fruits extract treated (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o), vitamin E (200 mg/kg, p.o), and Embelia ribes fruits (200 mg/kg) with vitamin E (200 mg/kg, p.o) treated groups. The renal levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were declined in cisplatin alone treated groups. The level of GSH was elevated significantly (P < 0.01) in the Embelia ribes fruits (200 and 400 mg/kg) and Embelia ribes fruits (200 mg/kg) with vitamin E (200 mg/kg) treated groups. The results also demonstrated that combination of Embelia ribes fruits (200 mg/kg) with vitamin E (200 mg/kg) showed a better protection compared to their 200 mg/kg alone treated groups.