The potential effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice on carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

J Physiol Biochem. 2013 Sep;69(3):359-70. doi: 10.1007/s13105-012-0218-3. Epub 2012 Nov 7.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum) in inhibiting and reversing the nephrotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride, a potent oxidative stress inducer which induces cellular kidney damage. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with carbon tetrachloride (2 mL/kg body weight) which produced severe renal tissue damage, as demonstrated by decreased uric acid and dramatic elevation of urea and creatinine. In addition, carbon tetrachloride injection caused oxidative stress in rats, as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite/nitrate (NO x ) concentrations in the renal tissue, along with a remarkable reduction in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase activities and glutathione content. We suggested that pomegranate juice was able to elevate the antioxidant defense system, clean up free radicals, lessen oxidative damages and protect the kidney against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity, thus having a potential protective effect.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced
  • Acute Kidney Injury / drug therapy*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / metabolism
  • Acute Kidney Injury / pathology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Beverages*
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Glutathione Reductase / metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Lythraceae / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Urea / blood

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protective Agents
  • Urea
  • Creatinine
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione Reductase
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Glutathione