Curcumin, a diferuloylmethane, attenuates cyclosporine-induced renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in rat kidneys.
BACKGROUND
In India, Curcumin (CMN) is popularly known as "Haldi", and has been well studied due to its economic importance. Traditional Indian medicine claims the use of its powder against biliary disorders, anorexia, coryza, cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorder, rheumatism and sinusitis. This study was designed to examine the possible beneficial effect of CMN in preventing the acute renal failure and related oxidative stress caused by chronic administration of cyclosporine (CsA) in rats. CMN was administered concurrently with CsA (20 mg/kg/day s.c) for 21 days. Oxidative stress in kidney tissue homogenates was estimated using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Catalase (CAT). Nitrite levels were estimated in serum and tissue homogenates.


RESULTS
CsA administration for 21 days produced elevated levels of TBARS and marked depletion of renal endogenous antioxidant enzymes and deteriorated the renal function as assessed by increased serum creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and decreased creatinine and urea clearance as compared to vehicle treated rats. CMN markedly reduced elevated levels of TBARS, significantly attenuated renal dysfunction increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes in CsA treated rats and normalized the altered renal morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion our study showed that CMN through its antioxidant activity effectively salvaged CsA nephrotoxicity.
Tirkey
Naveen
N
Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, India. naveentirkey@rediffmail.com
Kaur
Gaganjit
G
Vij
Garima
G
Chopra
Kanwaljit
K
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D005260:Female; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003474:Curcumin