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. 2019 Apr-Jun;9(2):69-74.
doi: 10.4103/IJCIIS.IJCIIS_85_18.

Synergistic effect of berberine and pentoxifylline in attenuation of acute kidney injury

Hayder M Al-Kuraishy  1 , Ali I Al-Gareeb  1 , Nawar R Hussien  1
Affiliations

Synergistic effect of berberine and pentoxifylline in attenuation of acute kidney injury

Hayder M Al-Kuraishy et al. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2019 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the renoprotective effects of berberine and/or pentoxifylline in reduction of diclofenac-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats.

Material and methods: Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into five groups, Group 1: Rats treated with distilled water plus normal saline for 12 days. Group 2: Rats treated with distilled water plus diclofenac for 12 days. Group 3: Rats treated with berberine plus diclofenac for 12 days. Group 4: Rats treated with pentoxifylline plus diclofenac for 12 days. Group 5: Rats treated with berberine + pentoxifylline plus diclofenac 15 mg/kg for 12 days. Blood urea, creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecules (KIM-1), and cystatin-c were used to measure the severity of AKI.

Results: Diclofenac led to significant AKI by significant elevation of blood urea, serum creatinine, KIM-1, and NGAL. Treatment with berberine showed no significant effect on all biomarkers level compared to diclofenac group except on serum KIM-1 level which also seen in the pentoxifylline group whereas combination of berberine and pentoxifylline led to more significant effect in the reduction of all renal biomarkers.

Conclusion: Combination of berberine with pentoxifylline illustrated a synergistic effect in attenuation of diclofenac-induced AKI.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; berberine; diclofenac; pentoxifylline.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of berberine and/or pentoxifylline on cystatin-c levels in AKI. *P < 0.01 compared to AKI, #P > 0.05 compared to the control
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sensitivity and specificity of KIM-1 and NGAL serum levels in AKI
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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