ABSTRACT
Acute renal failure (ARF) is an extremely important public health issue in need of novel therapies. The present study aimed to evaluate the capacity of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy to promote the improvement and recovery of renal function in a preclinical model. Wistar rats were used as the experimental model, and our results show that cisplatin (5mg/kg) can efficiently induce ARF, as measured by changes in biochemical (urea and creatinine) and histological parameters. MSC therapy performed 24h after the administration of chemotherapy resulted in normalized plasma urea and creatinine levels 30 and 45d after the onset of kidney disease. Furthermore, MSC therapy significantly reduced histological changes (intratubular cast formation in protein overload nephropathy and tubular hydropic degeneration) in this ARF model. Thus, considering that current therapies for ARF are merely palliative and that MSC therapy can promote the improvement and recovery of renal function in this model system, we suggest that innovative/alternative therapies involving MSCs should be considered for clinical studies in humans to treat ARF.
ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gochnatia polymorpha ssp. floccosa is used in folk medicine to treat inflammation and infections. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly consumed medications during pregnancy in women with inflammatory diseases. However, the relationship between the use of NSAIDs and the risk of miscarriage and birth defects and/or benefits is not fully understood. Thus, an investigation regarding the use of Gochnatia polymorpha during gestation is of relevance for developing safe anti-inflammatory drugs for use during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pregnant females were randomly divided into 5 groups. Control group received a hydroalcoholic solution (1.2%), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and throughout the gestational period. The pre-treatment group received Gochnatia polymorpha ethanol extract (GPEE), via gavage, at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight (b.w.) for at least 15 days prior to mating and up to the appearance of the vaginal plug. The organogenesis group received GPEE at a dose of 100mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, on the 5-15th gestacional day. The pregnancy group received GPEE at a dose of 100mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, throughout the gestational period (from the 1st to the 18th day of pregnancy). The pre+pregnancy group received GPEE at a dose of 100mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and throughout the entire gestational period. The clinical signals of maternal toxicity and teratogenesis were evaluated. Additional assays to evaluate chronic inflammation, antigenotoxicity and immunomodolatory activity were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that GPEE does not interfere with reproductive performance or embryo-fetal development but does correlate with reduced weight and fetal length. The extract was not teratogenic or mutagenic or an immunomodulator. However, GPEE did exhibit effective anti-inflammatory activity. Based on this study, it can be inferred that GPEE is an important, safe anti-inflammatory agent for use during pregnancy according to the experimental design we utilized, which opens up possibilities for the bioprospecting of a new anti-inflammatory phytotherapy for use during pregnancy.
