Effect of Prosopis farcta L. Fruits on Methotrexate Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) has been an excellent chemotherapeutic agent, but its nephrotoxic potential developed by oxidative stress and tubular impairment limit its using. Medicinal plants like Prosopis farcta (the fruit) can be proposed as an antioxidant to protect the kidney cells.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the nephroprotective effect of Prosopis farcta fruit extract (PFE) against MTX-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model. Adult rats were divided into five groups: control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.), and MTX + PFE (300, 400 or 500 mg/kg per orally) for 30 days. The levels of renal function markers (BUN, creatinine, cystatin C and albumin), oxidative stress indicators (MDA, SOD) and urinary NAG were detected. Histopathological analysis was also performed.
Results: MTX resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) renal dysfunction as witnessed by increased levels of BUN, creatinine, cystatin C, MDA and NAG with decreased albumin and SOD. PFE therapy ameliorated these parameters in a dose-dependent fashion. The 500 mg/kg dose confirmed the maximum protection, as indicated by biochemical markers and renal histology closer to normalcy.
Conclusions: Fruit extract of Prosopis farcta has a potent renal-protective impact, which may be due to its antioxidant and tubular protective activities. Moreover, it can be a cheap natural adjunct for the alleviation of chemotherapy-induced renal toxicity.