Effects of Pistacia atlantica Subsp. Kurdica on Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Kidney

Pistacia atlantica kurdica has recently been shown to possess free radical scavenging ability. The current study aims to investigate the protective effect of this plant against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity.

Thirty-six rats were divided into 6 groups (6 in each), and treated as follows: group 1 received normal saline (control group), group 2 (positive control) received cadmium by drinking water (100 mg/ L/d), group 3 received 200 mg/kg of P. atlantica extract, and groups 4-6 received cadmium as well as 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/d of P. atlantica extract (orally), respectively. After 2 weeks, oxidative damage and renal function markers were assayed by standard methods.

In cadmium group, a significant increase was observed in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P<0.01) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) level of renal tissue (P<0.001) and a remarkable decrease was found in total thiol molecules (TTM) of the kidney (P<0.001). Despite the decreased renal antioxidant capacity, these changes were not significant. P. atlantica extract improved the LPO, TTM, and histopathological changes in renal tissue.

In this study, although the P. atlantica extract did not have a significant effect on cadmiuminduced renal dysfunction, it did improve the oxidative/antioxidant balance in renal tissue.