A standardized extract of Ziziphus jujuba Mill protects against adriamycin-induced liver, heart, and brain toxicity: An oxidative stress and biochemical approach.

Due to the antioxidant effects of the Ziziphus jujuba Mill (Z. jujuba), we investigated the liver, heart, and brain-protective effects of this herb against toxicity induced by adriamycin (ADR). In this study, Wistar rats were divided into 1) control, 2) ADR and 3, 4, and 5) treated groups orally administrated three doses of Z. jujuba hydroalcoholic extract for 1 month. The liver, heart, and brain were removed for evaluation of the oxidative markers. Blood samples were evaluated to determine the levels of Lactate dehydrogenase, total and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, Aspartate transaminase, and Alanine aminotransferase. Administration of Z. jujuba significantly decreased the biochemical enzymes compared to the ADR. Oxidative condition in treated rats with different doses of Z. jujuba was improved compared to the ADR group. Z. jujuba could decrease the oxidative injury through invigoration of the tissues antioxidant system. The mentioned hepatic and cardiac parameters levels improved during extract administration. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the first stage, our findings and other supplementary works have shown that administration of jujube extract has prevented the effects of histotoxicity caused by adriamycin, so it seems that in the next stage, the effects of this herbal plant on patients with tissue toxicity caused by adriamycin should be evaluated and if the results are positive in pharmacological studies, it should be used as a complementary drug in the treatment of these patients.

Doxorubicin-induced renal inflammation in rats: Protective role of Plantago major.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Plantago major (P. major) extract against doxorubicin (DXR)-induced renal inflammation in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 male albino rats were randomly divided into 8 groups as follows: control, DXR, Ext (extract) 600, Ext1200, dexamethasone+DXR, vitamin E+DXR, Ext600+DXR, and Ext1200+DXR. Duration of the study was 35 days and DXR was intravenously injected on the 7th day of the experiment. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression levels were assessed in the left kidney. Serum creatinine concentration and osmolarity were determined on the 1st, 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th days of the experiment. RESULTS: DXR caused a significant increase in renal expression of MCP-1 and TNF-α production compared to control animals. Administration of dexamethasone, vitamin E and P. major extract significantly improved the expression of these inflammatory mediators compared to DXR group. Compared to day 1 in DXR group, serum osmolarity showed a significant increase on days 21, 28 and 35. Also, on these days, serum osmolarity in DXR group was significantly higher than that on the same days in control group. In Vit E+DXR and Ext 1200+DXR groups, there was no significant changes in serum osmolarity among different days of the study. However, in these groups, serum osmolarity on days 21, 28 and 35 showed a significant decrease compared to the same days in DXR group. CONCLUSION: Present results suggest that hydroethanolic extract of P. major protected renal tissue against DXR-induced renal inflammation.

Protection Against Doxorubicin-induced Nephropathy by Plantago major in Rat.

INTRODUCTION: Nephropathy is an important side effect of doxorubicin. The aim of the current study was to investigate the protective effect of Plantago major extract against doxorubicin-induced functional and histological damage in rat's kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty Albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Doxorubicin, 5 mg/kg, was injected intravenously on the 7th day of the study. Animals were treated with dexamethasone, 0.9 mg/kg, vitamin E, 100 mg/kg, and P major extract, 600 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg, for 7 days before and 4 weeks after doxorubicin administration. Glomerular filtration rate, urea clearance, and urine glucose concentration were determined on the 1st day and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after doxorubicin injection. Histological changes were also examined and the end of the study. RESULTS: Doxorubicin caused significant decreases in glomerular filtration rate and urea clearance and significant glycosuria and kidney damage. Urea clearance in the rats treated with P major showed no significant change between different days of the experiment. Administration of dexamethasone, vitamin E, and low- and high-dose P major significantly improved the glycosuria and kidney tissue damage. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that hydroalcoholic extract of P major protected renal tissue against doxorubicin-induced nephropathy. The protective effects of P major on renal lesions associated with doxorubicin may be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.