Cisplatin (CP) is a platinum compound of the alkylating agent class that is used for the treatment of various types of cancer. However, CP treatments in cancer patients are accountable for nephrotoxicity, as it is a major adverse effect. Hence, this research study was proposed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of diosmin, a flavonoid glycoside of hesperidin derivatives against cisplatin-induced kidney damage. Wistar rats received a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of CP (7.5 mg/kg, i.p) to induce nephrotoxicity. The administration of CP significantly (p < 0.001) increased the markers of kidney function test (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid) and demonstrated histopathological changes in the kidney of the CP-treated nephrotoxic group. In addition, the CP-treated nephrotoxic group demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and depleted activities of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).However, diosmin (100 and 200 mg/kg) treatments significantly reduced the elevated levels of kidney function test parameters and restored structural changes in the kidney (p < 0.001). The administration of diosmin (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.001) reduced LPO levels, increased GSH content and showed improvements in the activities of GPx, GR, SOD and CAT. The markers of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the CP-treated nephrotoxic group, whereas diosmin (100 and 200 mg/kg) treatments significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the elevated levels of these cytokines. The findings of this research demonstrate the nephroprotective effect of diosmin against CP-induced kidney damage. Therefore, we conclude that diosmin may be used as a supplement in the management of nephrotoxicity associated with CP treatments in cancer patients.
Keywords: cisplatin; diosmin; inflammatory cytokines; lipid peroxidation; nephrotoxicity.