The role of eugenol in the prevention of chromium-induced acute kidney injury in male albino rats

Abstract

Background: Potassium dichromate induces nephrotoxicity mainly due to increased cellular oxidative stress.

Objectives: To evaluate the possible renoprotective effects of eugenol on the damage induced by potassium dichromate poisoning in male rats.

Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups, 10 rats in each group; Control group: given olive oil orally (5 mL/kg body weight) for 10 consecutive days. Potassium dichromate (PDC) group: received olive oil orally (5 mL/kg body weight) for 10 consecutive days, then a single s.c. injection of PDC (15 mg/kg) was given in the tenth day. And eugenol + PDC group: received eugenol orally (100 mg/kg body weight/day) for 10 consecutive days and a single s.c. injection of PDC (15 mg/kg) in the tenth day.

Then the animals were anaesthetized, blood samples were taken from the abdominal aorta, for measurement of serum urea and creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) were monitored in renal tissue.

Results: PDC caused significant increase in serum urea, creatinine and LDH levels; this was accompanied with significant decrease in renal GSH and SOD contents, and increase in renal MDA and TNF-a. Histopathological investigations provoked tubular necrosis associated with mononuclear cell infiltration. Pretreatment of rats with eugenol significantly change all previously mentioned PDC-induced effects.

Conclusion: The findings of the current study revealed that eugenol protected the kidney against PDCinduced acute kidney injury in rats by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Keywords: Eugenol, Potassium dichromate, Antioxidant, Acute kidney injury