Fagonia indica ameliorates chromium-induced nephrotoxicity: Role of antioxidant activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines in in-vivo renoprotection

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) is an environmental pollutant, has high redox potential, and can exist in various oxidation states, possibly leading to nephrotoxicity. As a potential treatment option, Fagonia indica (F. indica) is an herb remedy traditionally used as a phytomedicine to cure ailments. However, efficient validation of its protective effect and molecular mechanisms has not yet been established. As such, this study aims to investigate the protective effect of F. indica against Cr-induced nephrotoxicity in Swiss mice. Mice were divided into five groups: group I (negative control), group II (F. indica), group III (potassium dichromate [PDC]-treated), group IV (PDC + saline), and group V (PDC + F. indica). Our results demonstrate that group III exhibited decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione s-transferases (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and thioredoxin peroxidase (TPX) levels. Meanwhile, protein carbonyl (PCO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in kidney homogenates, increasing the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). This was followed by elevated NF-κB, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine serum levels in group III compared with group I. Moreover, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated severe damage to the renal tubular epithelial cells, as well as marked congestion and expressions of caspase-3 and NF-κB. Further, group V showed an improvement in antioxidant activity parameters and reductions in the IL-6, caspase-3, and NF-κB expressions, followed by significant decreases in NF-κB, BUN, and creatinine serum levels. Furthermore, fewer histopathological disturbances were observed compared with untreated group III. Such alterations may be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of F. indica. Therefore, our exploration reveals that F. indica is effective in protecting against Cr-induced nephrotoxicity, and it could be applied in the future to human kidney diseases caused by environmental pollutants.

Keywords:

• Antioxidant
• chromium toxicity
• herbal medicine
• pro-inflammatory cytokines

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank, Dr. Osama A. Elkashty. Assistant professor of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University. for his assistance in the histopathological part of this study.

Conflict of interest

The Author(s) declare(s) that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Deanship of Scientific Research in Al Baha University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Project No: 32/1442.