Prospective Study to Evaluate the Role of Thyme-Primula Syrup in the Amelioration of TAA-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Nephrotoxicity, which may lead to chronic kidney disease, is considered a serious health problem, particularly in developing nations. Thyme and primula extracts have demonstrated great pharmacological benefits, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties against various diseases. The objective of the current study was to explore the protective effect of using thyme and primula extracts in ameliorating nephrotoxicity in a thioacetamide (TAA) induced rat model. 24 rats were divided into 4 groups (n=6/group) for a 6-week study: Group 1 (Control): received 0.9% saline via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, triweekly, Group 2 (TAA): administered TAA (200 mg/kg b.wt.) i.p., triweekly, dissolved in saline, Group 3 (TAA + Thyme-Primula): received TAA as in Group 2, plus 12 mg/kg b.wt. thyme-primula syrup orally once daily, Group 4 (Thyme-Primula): received 12 mg/kg b.wt. thyme-primula syrup orally once daily. The obtained results showed a significant decrease in the levels of urea, creatinine, lipocalin-2 (LCN-2), α2-macroglobulin (α2M), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and malondialdehyde (MDA), and a significant increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) in TAA- treated animals. Additionally, western blotting and agarose gel electrophoresis in the treated animals were significantly down-regulated in kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) which was accompanied by mild smearing and significant reduction in DNA fragmentation. All these improvements were confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunohistochemical examinations. Thus, thyme-primula syrup can provide a new approach in improving nephrotoxicity in general and ameliorating LCN-2, α2M, IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in particular.