Ameliorative Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Allium porrum (Wild Leek) against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rabbits

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the nephroprotective, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic effects of Allium porrum (leek) in rabbits with cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Forty adult male New Zealand rabbits were divided randomly into four groups (ten rabbits in each group) as follows: Group I: (negative control) (C) received an oral daily dose of distilled water for 15 successive days. Groups II: (Leek) (L) received an oral daily dose of aqueous leek extract (500mg/kg/day) for 15 successive days. Group III: (positive control) [cisplatin (CP)] received an oral daily dose of distilled water for 15 successive days, and subsequently administered a single dose of Cisplatin (3.5mg/kg/day) by intraperitoneal injection from day 10 for five days. Groups IV: (Leek and Cisplatin) (LCP) received an oral daily dose of aqueous leek extract (500 mg/kg/day) for 15 successive days with subsequently administered single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (3.5 mg/kg/day) from day 10 for five days in association with aqueous leek extract. All animals were fasted overnight then sacrificed. Serum urea, creatinine, glucose, lipids, renal histology, tissues glutathione, lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance), catalase, and superoxide dismutase were measured. cisplatin intoxication exhibited significant (P˂0.001) elevations in serum creatinine and urea with marked renal tubular injury. Whereas, treatment of aqueous leek extract prior to cisplatin intoxication significantly caused (P˂0.001) reductions of serum creatinine and urea levels with the moderation of renal histology. Cisplatin intoxication also showed significant (P˂0.01) reductions in renal glutathione and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase and increased lipid peroxidation accompanied with increases in serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, very low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and decreased high-density lipoproteins cholesterol compared to controls. However, administration of aqueous leek extract prior to cisplatin intoxication showed significantly (P<0.001) elevated glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, reductions in glucose, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, very low-density lipoproteins cholesterol and increased high-density lipoproteins cholesterol. Cisplatin treatment impaired the kidney function of rabbits with marked renal injury. This was accompanied by increased cortical lipid peroxidation and a reduced antioxidant system. Cisplatin also induced dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. All deranged parameters were reversed by co-administration of the leek extract.