Aged garlic extract protects against oxidative stress and renal changes in cisplatin-treated adult male rats

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CP) is one of the effective anticancer drugs, but it causes many side effects. Aged garlic extract (AGE) is a natural herbal product used in management of many diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate effect of AGE on CP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four equal groups of adult male rats: control, AGE -treated (250 mg/kg, once oral dose/ 21days), CP-treated (7.5 mg/kg once i.p. on day 16th.), combined AGE and CP-treated were used. Body and kidneys weights of each rat were calculated. Serum levels of kidney biomarkers were assessed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduce glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of renal tissues were measured as well. Renal samples from each rat were prepared for light and electron microscopic examinations. RESULTS: Hemorrhage, glomerular atrophy, inflammatory cell infiltration, tubular necrosis and degeneration were observed in CP-treated rats. Also, a significant (P<0.001) reduction in SOD & CAT activities, GSH levels accompanied with a significant increase in serum levels of kidney biomarkers and MDA were determined in CP-treated rats compared to control group. However, most of CP-induced histomorphological, ultrastructural and biochemical changes were improved in animals pretreated with AGE. CONCLUSION: Such renoprotective effect of AGE may be attributed to its antioxidant activity.