Nephroprotective Effect of Sonchus oleraceus Extract against Kidney Injury Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion in Wistar Rats

Introduction. Kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of delayed graft function in solid organ transplantation. Sonchus oleraceus is a plant with well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, its effects on renal I/R are unknown. Objective. To evaluate whether S. oleraceus extract(S.O.e.) has nephroprotective activity in an I/R model in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods. Animal groups (n = 6): sham, I/R (45 min/15 h), S. O. e (300 mg/kg p. o.), and S. O. e + I/R (300 mg/kg, p. o.; 45 min/15 h). Renal function, proinflammatory cytokines, alanine aminotransferase, markers of oxidative stress, and histology were evaluated. Results. None of the mediators evaluated differed significantly between the S. O. e and sham groups. Levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proinflammatory cytokines were higher, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was lower in the I/R group than in the sham group. Histology showed tubular epithelial necrosis in the medulla and cortex in the I/R group. In the S. O. e + I/R group, S. O. e pretreatment attenuated the I/R-induced increases in BUN, creatinine, MDA, and proinflammatory cytokines induced, SOD was maintained, and histology showed discontinuous necrosis in the medulla but no necrosis in the cortex. Conclusions. S. O. e was neither hepatotoxic nor nephrotoxic. S. O. e. pretreatment showed a nephroprotective effect against I/R.