Ameliorative effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Lavandula officinalis L. on cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity in mice

Abstract

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is amongst the most effective alkylating anticancer drugs which regardless of its harmful side effects including nephrotoxicity, hematotoxicity, mutagenicity and also immunotoxicity, commonly raised for the treatment of a number of cancers and autoimmune ailments. Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative effect of Lavandula officinalis L extract (LOE) in nephrotoxicity induced by CP in mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Swiss albino mice (20–25 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups, each group consist of 7 mice. Mice were pretreated with LOE orally in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days and CP (200 mg/kg, ip) was administrated on the fifth day 1 hour after the last dose of extract. Then on the sixth day, animals were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected to determine serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assayed in kidney tissue. The kidney was maintained in formalin for histological examination. Results: Results showed a significant increase in the levels of MDA, Cr and BUN, and decrease of GSH, CAT and SOD by CP administration. Pre-treatment with LOE showed reduction in the levels of MDA, Cr and BUN and increase of GSH, CAT and SOD in all doses but the most significant alteration was observed at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.05). Additionally the nephroprotective effect of the LOE was established by the histological examination of the kidneys. Conclusions: Our results indicated that LOE has produced amelioration in biochemical indices and oxidative stress parameters against CP-induced nephrotoxicity.