The mature fruit of Lycium chinense Miller attenuates cisplatin-induced renal damage in mice via regulation of oxidant and antioxidant enzymes

Abstract

• Lycii Fructus, the mature fruit of Lycium chinense Miller , protect acute renal failure. • Lycii Fructus enhances renal function in cisplatin-treated mice. • Lycii Fructu regulates the oxidant and antioxidant enzymes in the kidney. The present study was conducted to examine whether Lycii Fructus, the mature fruit of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae), is a functional food and has an ameliorative effect on a mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. Cisplatin (20 mg/kg B.W.) was administered by I.P. injection to mice that had received oral Lycii Fructus extract (10 or 30 mg/kg B.W. per day) for the preceding 2 days. Cisplatin-treated control mice showed body weight loss and increased kidney weight, whereas Lycii Fructus extract administration attenuated these effects. Moreover, Lycii Fructus extract significantly decreased serum creatinine, a renal functional parameter. Lycii Fructus extract also significantly reduced oxidative stress- and inflammation-related biomarker levels and protein expressions in the kidney. Lycii Fructus extract treatment led to significantly attenuated histological damage in the kidney. These results suggest that therapy with Lycii Fructus extract has beneficial effects on renal injury induced by cisplatin in this experimental model.