Protective effect of propolis on methotrexate-induced kidney injury in the rat

Figures & data

Table 1. Phenolic compounds of propolis extract.

Phenolic compound	mg/g dry extract
Hesperidin	1.89 ± 0.09
Quinic acid	0.39 ± 0.02
Malic acid	0.45 ± 0.02
trans-Aconitic acid	0.08 ± 0.00
Gallic acid	0.72 ± 0.04
Chlorogenic acid	0.18 ± 0.01
Protocatechuic acid	1.46 ± 0.07
Tannic acid	0.23 ± 0.01
trans-Caffeic acid	37.97 ± 1.97
Vanillin	50.18 ± 2.46
p-Coumaric acid	2.99 ± 0.15
Rutin	0.01 ± 0.00
Hyperoside	0.01 ± 0.00
Myricetin	0.09 ± 0.01
Fisetin	0.06 ± 0.00
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid	0.05 ± 0.00
Salicylic acid	0.03 ± 0.00
Quercetin	3.18 ± 0.23
Kaempferol	2.09 ± 0.11
Naringenin	10.61 ± 0.58
Hesperetin	0.20 ± 0.01
Luteolin	0.56 ± 0.04
Apigenin	18.28 ± 0.97
Rhamnetin	8.71 ± 0.53
Chrysin	168.91 ± 8.95

Figure 1. Light microscopy of kidney tissue in different groups was observed. (A) In Group 1, normal kidney architecture was shown. (B) In group 2, epithelial desquamation into the lumen of the tubules (arrow), and dilatation and congestion of the peritubular vessels (*) were visualized. (C) In group 3, normal kidney architecture was observed. (D) In group 4, normal kidney architecture was exhibited. Kidney cross sections were stained with H&E.

Figure 2. TUNEL staining of kidney tissue. TUNEL-positive cells (arrow) were mainly observed in distal tubule. (A) Group 1, (B) group 2, (C) group 3, and (D) group 4.

Table 2. Apoptotic index and HSP-70 expression of rats. Values are expressed as mean ± SE.

	Group 1	Group 2	Group 3	Group 4
Apoptotic index	1.75 ± 0.38	9.85 ± 2.38^a	2.86 ± 1.90^b	0.33 ± 0.79
HSP-70 expression	126.52 ± 1.77	133.24 ± 1.02^a	124.06 ± 1.45^b	124.03 ± 1.79

a Significantly different from the control group at p < 0.05,

b significantly different from MTX at p < 0.05.

Figure 3. Immunohistochemical localization of HSP-70 expression of the kidney tissue in the different groups. (A) Expression of HSP-70 was prominent in the distal tubules and collecting ducts in group 1. (B) Increased expression of HSP-70 was shown in the distal tubules and collecting ducts in group 2. (C) HSP-70 immunostaining was observed in the distal tubules and collecting ducts in group 3. (D) HSP-70 expression was shown in the distal tubules and collecting ducts in group 4.