Combined antioxidant therapy with quercetin and curcumin protects against radiation-induced nephrotoxicity

This study aimed to explore the protective effects of quercetin and curcumin against kidney damage caused by gamma radiation in male albino rats. The rats were categorized into six groups. Group I served as the untreated control. Group II received quercetin at a dose of 1.25 g/kg body weight daily by oral gavage for four weeks, followed by a nine-day break, then resumed for an additional three weeks. Group III was treated similarly with curcumin at 100 mg/kg body weight. Group IV was subjected to whole-body gamma irradiation (four doses of 2 Gy every 72 h over four weeks). Group V received both quercetin and curcumin in the same schedule as Group II, followed by gamma irradiation. Group VI was given both antioxidants after completing three consecutive weeks of radiation exposure. The findings indicated that pre-treatment with quercetin and curcumin notably improved kidney function markers (creatinine, urea, uric acid, albumin, sodium, and potassium) and antioxidant enzyme levels (CAT, SOD) compared to the irradiated group. Histological analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed structural damage in the kidneys of irradiated rats, while those pre-treated with the compounds showed largely preserved kidney tissue. These results suggest that quercetin and curcumin are effective antioxidants capable of mitigating radiation-induced kidney damage.