Amelioration of cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in mice by ethyl acetate extract of a polypore fungus, Phellinus rimosus.

Pretreatment of ethyl acetate extract of Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat protected cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Single dose of the extract (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) decreased cisplatin induced serum creatinine and urea levels. The cisplatin depleted renal antioxidant defence system, such as activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), were restored by the treatment of the extract. The enhanced renal antioxidant defence system prevented cisplatin induced tissue lipid peroxidation. The experimental results suggest that ethyl acetate extract of P. rimosus protected cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity, possibly by enhancing renal antioxidant status. The extract did not interfere with the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin.