Ameliorative effect of rufigallol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: biochemical and...

Cisplatin is a prevailing chemotherapeutic drug largely applied for the remedial measure of different types of solid melanoma, having dose-limiting side effects mainly nephrotoxicity and renal failure. Renal failure and nephrotoxicity primarily result from the buildup of cisplatin in renal proximal tubule cells. The toxicity of cisplatin is primarily linked to the generation of reactive oxygen species, which induce oxidative stress and subsequent damage to kidney cells. The present research focused on assessing the regulatory effects of rufigallol (an anthraquinone derivative) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity using various biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, caspase-3, and histopathological assessment. Rats were separated into five test groups, which are Group I: control group (received distilled water for 10 days); Group II: cisplatin (single dose at 5 mg/kg bw, intraperitoneal on 5th day); Groups III and IV: rufigallol (10 and 20 mg/kg bw, respectively, single dose daily for 10 days along with cisplatin 5 mg/kg bw, I.P., once on 5th day); and Group V: rufigallol (alone) (20 mg/kg bw, once in a day for 10 days). The nephrotoxicity produced by cisplatin was addressed by the increased levels of urea, urobilinogen, serum creatinine, urinary proteins, creatinine clearance, urinary KIM-1, serum NGAL, and renal tissue malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, as well as decreased levels of serum albumin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione in renal tissue. Cisplatin also increased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory markers, and tumor markers. Treatment with rufigallol significantly restored nephrotoxicity biomarkers, antioxidant levels, inflammatory cytokines with associated markers, and histopathological damage. Study results indicate that rufigallol may protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity; however, additional research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in humans.