Curcumin ameliorates methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Methotrexate (MTX) is a vital anticancer and immunosuppressive drug.
• Nephrotoxicity is a significant adverse effect of MTX therapy.
• Curcumin, a polyphenol from turmeric, possesses known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective role of curcumin against MTX-induced kidney damage in rats.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of curcumin's nephroprotective effects.

Main Methods:

• Nephrotoxicity was induced in Wistar rats using intraperitoneal methotrexate (7 mg/kg/day) for three days.
• Curcumin was administered to assess its effects on kidney function and oxidative stress markers.
• Biochemical assays (serum creatinine, urea, MDA, NO, GSH-Px, SOD), immunohistochemistry (COX-2), and histopathology were performed.

Main Results:

• Curcumin significantly reduced serum creatinine and urea levels in MTX-treated rats.
• Curcumin decreased renal malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).
• Curcumin increased renal glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.

Conclusions:

• Curcumin exhibits significant nephroprotective effects against methotrexate-induced kidney injury in rats.
• These protective effects are attributed to curcumin's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
• Curcumin represents a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating MTX-associated nephrotoxicity.