Ellagic acid mitigates sodium arsenite-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in male Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on arsenic-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in rats.

METHODS

A total number of 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. Group 1 received normal saline (po). Group 2 received sodium arsenite (SA, 10mg/kg, po) for 21days. Group 3 received EA (30mg/kg, po) for 14days. Groups 4 and 5 received SA 7days prior to EA (10 and 30mg/kg respectively) treatment and continued up to 21days simultaneous with SA administration. Various biochemical, histological and molecular biomarkers were measured in kidney and liver.

RESULTS

Treatment with EA (more potently at dose of 30mg/kg) restored the SA-induced alterations in serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urine nitrogen (BUN) levels as well as the changes in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations (all p<0.001). Elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in renal and hepatic tissue was reduced by EA treatment (all p<0.001). Treatment with EA enhanced the glutathione (GSH) content in liver (p<0.001) and up-regulated renal and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA expression (all p<0.001). The SA-induced histopathological alterations in kidney and liver were reduced by EA treatment.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the presence of EA with SA alleviated its toxic effects and EA treatment might be an effective strategy for the management of arsenic-induced renal and hepatic damage.