Pomegranate flower extract does not prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats

Nephrotoxicity is the major side-effect of cisplatin [CDDP], and it is reported to be gender-related. We evaluated the effects of pomegranate flower extract [PFE] as an antioxidant on CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats. Twenty-three adult female rats in four groups treated as following. Groups 1 and 2 received PFE at doses of 25 and 50 [mg/kg/day], respectively, for 9 days, and from day 3 on, they also received cisplatin [CDDP] [2.5 mg/kg] daily. Group 3 was treated as group 1 expects saline instead of PFE, and group 4 received PFE [25 mg/kg/day] alone. Cisplatin alone increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and nitrite; and kidney tissue damage score and kidney weight. However, PFE not only did not ameliorate the induced nephrotoxicity, but also aggravated renal tissue damage. Pomegranate extract as an antioxidant did not ameliorate CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats

Co-administration of silymarin and deferoxamine against kidney, liver and heart iron deposition in male iron overload rat model

Tissue iron deposition may disturb functions of the organs. In many diseases like thalassemia, the patients suffer from iron deposition in kidney and heart tissues. Deferoxamine [DF] is a synthetic iron chelator and silymarin [SM] is an antioxidant and also a candidate for iron chelating. This study was designed to investigate the effect of DF and SM combination against kidney and heart iron deposition in an iron overload rat model. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups. The iron overloading was performed by iron dextran 100 mg/kg/day every other day during 2 weeks and in the 3[rd] week, iron dextran was discontinued and the animals were treated daily with combination of SM [200 mg/kg/day, i.p.] and DF [50 mg/kg/day, i.p.] [group 1], SM [group 2], DF [group 3] and saline [group 4]. Group 5 received saline during the experiment. Finally, blood samples were obtained and kidney, heart and liver were immediately removed and prepared for histopathological procedures. The results indicated no significant difference in kidney function and endothelial function biomarkers between the groups. However, combination of SM and DF did not attenuate the iron deposition in the kidney, liver and heart. DF alone, rather than DF and SM combination, significantly reduced the serum level of malondialdehyde [P < 0.05]. Co-administration of SM and DF significantly increased the serum level of ferritin [P <0.05]. DF and SM may be potentially considered as iron chelators. However, combination of these two agents did not provide a protective effect against kidney, liver and heart iron deposition