Protective effect of Vitex altissima L.f. bark extract on cisplatin-induced renal injury in Wistar rats

Abstract

Cisplatin (CP) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug. The major limiting factor in the use of CP is the side effects in normal tissues, including the kidney. Since ancient times, medicinal plants are rich sources of various bioactive constituents used to treat multiple ailments, including drug toxicities. The present work is a preliminary study to explore the renoprotective actions of methanolic extract of Vitex altissima L.f. bark (Va) against CP-induced renal damage in Wistar rats. Va was found to have potent radical scavenging activity than metal ion reducing power properties, compared with ascorbic acid. Further, Va was evaluated for nephroprotective activity in rats induced by CP (8 mg/kg; intraperitoneal) on the 7th day. The animals were grouped (n = 6) and treated with Va (100 and 200 mg/kg) orally for 14 days. The outcomes of the study found that CP significantly (P < 0.001) altered the oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD and CAT), serum urea and creatinine levels. The administration of Va significantly halted the toxic condition and maintained it towards normal levels. The higher dose of Va significantly (P < 0.001) raised the SOD and CAT levels and halted the MDA levels than the low dose. Also, a higher dose of Va maintained the normal integrity of the histopathological studies of kidneys than a low dose. The present study demonstrates that V. altissima can attenuate the oxidative stress induced by CP by enhancing the endogenous antioxidant levels and depleting the lipid peroxidation levels.