Liquorice plant extract reduces ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

To evaluate the protective effect of liquorice plant extract (LPE) on ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity, rats were exposed to ochratoxin A for 28 consecutive days. Biochemical analyses showed that ochratoxin A elevated the serum level of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) while antioxidant power of the serum was diminished significantly (P<0.05). Histopathological examinations revealed degenerative symptoms in proximal tubules, congestions in renal tissue, and a remarkable infiltration of the inflammatory cells as signs of ochratoxin A nephrotoxicity. Moreover, total antioxidant power of the serum and MDA generation was increased. The test compounds melatonin (MLT) and LPE alleviated most of the biochemical alterations. The results of the histopathological investigations of the kidneys supported these findings confirming the protective effects of the test compounds albeit with some differences in antioxidant potency. Taken together, our data may suggest that LPE like MLT could alleviate an ochratoxin A-reduced antioxidant power of serum and lower the toxin-induced MDA generation. Hence LPE might be considered as a practically antioxidant compound that may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of ochratoxicosis.