Nephrotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity Induced by Cisplatin Improved by Palmatine in Male Rats

Cisplatin (CP) is recognized as an effective chemotherapeutic agent against numerous malignancies. Though, it results in some impacts including renal and liver injuries. Palmatine is an alkaloid obtained from several traditional medicinal plants. The aim of the current work is evaluating the impacts of palmatine on hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by CP in rats.

The animals (n=52) were classified in 4 groups: 1) control group; 2) CP group (6 mg/kg); 3 and 4) CP + palmatine groups (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). Urine, kidney, blood, and liver samples were collected for assessment.

CP caused an increase in alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), Na and K fractional excretion, and plasma creatinine and BUN and a reduction in the creatinine clearance and urine flow rate, in comparison with the control group. An increase was occurred in liver and renal tissue malondialdehyde while reduction happened in glutathione level in the CP group, which shows oxidative stress in these tissues. The TUNEL assay indicated inducing the apoptosis in the kidney and liver in the CP group. Palmatine treatment resulted in a decrease in plasma AST, ALT, creatinine clearance, urine flow rate, and renal and hepatic malondialdehyde along with an increase in renal and hepatic glutathione, fractional excretion of K and Na, and plasma BUN and creatinine in contrast to the CP group. Apoptosis in hepatic and renal tissues in CP + palmatine group was decreased.

Our findings showed that renal and liver injuries were decreased by palmatine through inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative stress