Naringin ameliorates sodium arsenite-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in rats: decisive role of KIM-1, Caspase-3, TGF-β, and TNF-α

Abstract

Chronic exposure of a naturally occurring metal arsenic leads to renal and hepatic diseases. Naringin, a flavanone glycoside, possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the protective effect of naringin against arsenic-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in rats. Renal and hepatic toxicity was induced in rats by sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg, p.o.). Rats were treated orally with either vehicle or naringin (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) or Coenzyme Q10 (10 mg/kg) for 28 days. Various biochemical, histological, and molecular biomarkers were assessed in kidney and liver. Treatment with naringin (40 and 80 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently restored (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) altered levels of kidney (serum creatinine, urine creatinine, BUN, uric acid, and creatinine clearance) and liver function test (AST and ALT) induced by sodium arsenite. Elevated levels of oxido-nitrosative stress in renal and hepatic tissue was significantly and dose-dependently decreased (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) by naringin (40 and 80 mg/kg) treatment. It significantly and dose-dependently down-regulated (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) renal KIM-1, Caspase-3, TGF-β, and TNF-α mRNA expression. Histopathological alteration induced in kidney and liver by sodium arsenite was reduced by naringin (40 and 80 mg/kg) treatment. In conclusion, naringin treatment ameliorates arsenic-induced renal and hepatic damage in rats due its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties via down-regulation of elevated oxido-nitrosative stress, KIM-1, Caspase-3, TGF-β, and TNF-α levels.

• Caspase-3
• KIM-1
• Naringin
• renal toxicity
• sodium arsenite
• TGF-β
• TNF-α

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Dr. S. S. Kadam, Vice Chancellor, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University and Dr. K. R. Mahadik, Principal, Poona College of Pharmacy for their keen interest and providing the necessary facilities to carry out the study.

Declaration of interest

We are also thankful to the All India Council of Technical and Education (AICTE), India for financial support by awarding GPAT Scholarship to one of the authors Mr. Mohammad Adil for the research work.

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.