The potential protective effect of C-phycocyanin from new extremophile strain Phormidium versicolor NCC-466 against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in HEK293 cells and rats kidney

Abstract

Abstract This research focused on the nephroprotective activity of phycocyanin (C-PC) a bleu protein pigment extracted from new halophile cyanobacteria Phormidium versicolor against cadmium induced renal damage in vitro and in vivo. In vitro study, 25 µg /ml C-PC was assessed for nephroprotective activity against 35 µg /ml of cadmium (Cd) induced toxicity in HEK293 cells by determining cell viability. The effect of Cd on lipid peroxidation and antioxydant capacity (SOD, GPx and CAT) was assessed. The results showed that cells exposed to Cd and treated with C-PC caused a significant increase in cell viability reached 90%. Morphological studies also supported the protective action of C-PC. In addition, in vivo study showed that the C-PC treated rats significantly prevented Cd-induced elevation of creatinine and urea concentrations. Antioxydant parameters catalase (CAT), Superoxyde Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxydase (GSH-Px) of rat kidneys treated by C-PC were significantly antagonized for the pro-oxydant effect of Cd-exposure. This study suggests that P.versicolor phycocyanin has a significant in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential on Cd-caused HEK293 and rats kidney.