Supplying rats with halfa-bar and liquorice extracts ameliorate doxorubicin-induced nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

In the current work, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of liquorice and halfa-bar extract against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced nephritic syndrome (NS) in rats. Twenty albino male rats were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg of DOX. The injected rats were supplied daily with 400 mg/kg of liquorice, halfa-bar extract, or their combination for 2 weeks. Our findings confirmed the induction of NS in rats indicated by alteration in Bowman’s space, damaged in glomerular capsules, and tubules. Moreover, the levels of produced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were increased, accompanied by decreasing levels of IL-4 and IL-10. Supplement NS-rats with liquorice and halfa-bar extracts restored the glomerular and tubules damage and adjusted the level of produced TNF-α and IL-8. Interestingly, both extracts can stimulate the expression profile of small proline-rich protein 2 F (sprr2f) and metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10), which are responsible for repairing and regeneration mechanisms of renal syndromes.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Nephrotic syndrome
• Doxorubicin
• Licorice
• Halfa-bar
• sprr2f
• MMP-10

Authors’ contributions

ET, AG, and HH performed the experiments and data analysis. HE and DH assisted in designing the research plan and data analysis. HK designed the research plan, supervised overall research, provided and interpreted data, organised, and wrote the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

Animal experiments gained ratification from the Ethics Committee for animal care and use of the National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt.

Informed consent

All authors read the manuscript and approved the submission process.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.