Nephroprotective Effect of Diosmin against Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Damage by Modulating IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα and Renal Oxidative Damage.

Cisplatin (CP) is a platinum compound of the alkylating agent class that is used for the treatment of various types of cancer. However, CP treatments in cancer patients are accountable for nephrotoxicity, as it is a major adverse effect. Hence, this research study was proposed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of diosmin, a flavonoid glycoside of hesperidin derivatives against cisplatin-induced kidney damage. Wistar rats received a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of CP (7.5 mg/kg, i.p) to induce nephrotoxicity. The administration of CP significantly (p < 0.001) increased the markers of kidney function test (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid) and demonstrated histopathological changes in the kidney of the CP-treated nephrotoxic group. In addition, the CP-treated nephrotoxic group demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and depleted activities of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).However, diosmin (100 and 200 mg/kg) treatments significantly reduced the elevated levels of kidney function test parameters and restored structural changes in the kidney (p < 0.001). The administration of diosmin (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.001) reduced LPO levels, increased GSH content and showed improvements in the activities of GPx, GR, SOD and CAT. The markers of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNFα significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the CP-treated nephrotoxic group, whereas diosmin (100 and 200 mg/kg) treatments significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the elevated levels of these cytokines. The findings of this research demonstrate the nephroprotective effect of diosmin against CP-induced kidney damage. Therefore, we conclude that diosmin may be used as a supplement in the management of nephrotoxicity associated with CP treatments in cancer patients.

IN VIVO AND IN VITRO EFFICACY OF NIGELLA SATIVA AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON BLASTOCYSTIS HOMINIS.

Metronidazole (MTZ) was the most widely accepted treatment for Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) with high treatment failure rate, resistance and potential mutagenic and carcinogenic effects so there is urgent need to find out new, effective and safe treatment against B. hominis. The present research aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (NS) at different doses on B. hominis in vitro and in vivo in comparison to MTZ as a control drug. Isolates of B. hominis were obtained from patients complaining of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Isolates were cultured in egg diphasic medium (LE) for in vitro study and to adjust proper inoculating dose for in vivo study. The aqueous extract of NS at concentrations of 100 & 500 µg/ml showed a potent lethal effect on B. hominis isolates in vitro. Caecal tissue of experimentally infected and treated mice with two different doses of NS (250 & 500 mg/kg/d) were examined histopathologically and compared with that of mice infected and treated by two doses of MTZ (62 & 125 mg/kg/d) as control drug and Infected untreated mice as negative control group. Histopathological examination of infected untreated group showed all pathological degrees in the caecal tissue while infected treated one showed remission of pathological changes especially with higher dose (500 mg/kg). Present study proved that N. sativa had inhibitory effect on B. hominis in vitro and prevented cytopathic effect in infected mice inoculated orally with B. hominis.