Protective effects of Ficus racemosa stem bark against doxorubucin-induced renal and testicular toxicity

Abstract

Background: Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) bark is a rich source of phenolic compounds known to possess potential antioxidant activity offering numerous health benefits.

Materials and methods: The present study evaluated the protective effects of sequential acetone extract of Ficus racemosa bark at two doses (FR250; 250 mg kg(-1) and FR500; 500 mg kg(-1) p.o.) against doxorubicin-induced renal and testicular toxicity in rats.

Results: Doxorubicin administration resulted in significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in total protein and glutathione concentrations, while increased (P ≤ 0.05) serum urea, creatinine and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Extract pretreatment restored biochemical parameters toward normalization. FR250 and FR500 decreased serum creatinine levels by 22.5% and 44%, while serum urea levels were decreased by 30.4% and 58.8%, respectively. Extract pretreatment (500 mg kg(-1)) decreased TBARS and increased glutathione levels in the kidney and testis to control levels. These observations were substantiated by histopathological studies, wherein normal renal and testicular architecture was restored in FR500 group.

Conclusion: Doxorubicin exposure results in pronounced oxidative stress, and administration of F. racemosa stem bark extract offers significant renal and testicular protection by inhibiting lipidperoxidation-mediated through scavenging free radicals.

Keywords: Doxorubicin; glutathione; histopathology; oxidative stress; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances.

Figure 1

Effect of FRSACE on serum albumin, globulin and A/G ratio. Data expressed as mean ± SD of n = 6 rats (P ≤ 0.05). Bars carrying different superscripts a, b, c¼. differ significantly from each other (P ≤ 0.05). Values above each bar represents A/G ratio

Figure 2

(a) Section of the kidney of control rats showing normal glomeruli. (b) Section of the kidney of untreated rats showing focal glomerular and tubular damage with mononuclear infiltrate. (c) Section of the kidney of FRSACE-treated rats (250 mg kg^-1) showing shrunken glomeruli. (d) Section of the kidney of FRSACE-treated rats (500 mg kg^-1) showing normal glomeruli *NG = normal glomerulus, SG = shrunken glomerulus, FGD = focal glomerular damage, FTD = focal tubular damage, MNI = mononuclear infiltrate

Figure 3

(a) Section of the testis of control rats showing normal seminiferous tubules containing sperms, (b) Section of the testis of untreated rats showing damage to the seminiferous tubules with damaged basement membrane and necrosed lining epithelium, (c) Section of the testis of FRSACE-treated rats (250 mg kg^-1) showing a few sperms, (d) Section of the testis of FRSACE-treated rats (500 mg kg^-1) showing more number of normal seminiferous tubules containing sperms *VC: vacuolation of the lining epithelium cells, SS: seminiferous tubules containing sperms, SWS: seminiferous tubules without sperms, DBM: damaged basement membrane, NE: necrosed epithelial cells, MNI: mononuclear infiltrate

Figure 4

TBARS levels in kidney and testis. Data expressed as mean ± SD of n = 6 rats (P ≤ 0.05)

Figure 5

Glutathione levels in kidney and testis. Data expressed as mean ± SD of n = 6 rats (P ≤ 0.05)