Nephroprotective effects of Datura stramonium leaves against methotrexate nephrotoxicity via attenuation of oxidative stress-mediated inflammation and apoptosis in rats

• Published in: Avicenna journal of phytomedicine 2023-07, Vol.13 (4), p.377-387
• Main Authors: Alum, Esther U, Famurewa, Ademola C, Orji, Obasi U, Aja, Patrick M, Nwite, Felix, Ohuche, Simon E, Ukasoanya, Stanley C, Nnaji, Lucy O, Joshua, Deborah, Igwe, Kingsley U, Chima, Stephen F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antioxidants; apoptosis; d. stramonium; inflammation; methotrexate; Original
• ISSN: 2228-7930; 2228-7949
• DOI: 10.22038/AJP.2023.21903

ObjectiveMethotrexate (MTX) is a frontline antimetabolite anticancer drug which is used in different cancer treatments but its nephrotoxicity is a notable drawback that limits its clinical use. The present study was undertaken to examine whether Datura stramonium leaf extract (DSLE) could block MTX nephrotoxic side effect in rats.Materials and MethodsAnimals were divided randomly into Control, Ethanol extract, MTX, and Extract + MTX groups. DSLE (200 mg/kg bw) was orally administered for 21 days, while MTX was injected intraperitoneally (ip) on the 18th day. Serum levels of urea, creatinine and uric acid were determined. Kidney samples were used to determine glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, and renal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and caspase-3.ResultsInjection of MTX resulted in considerable increases (p