Hydroalcoholic extract of Capparis spinosa seeds reduces cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common problem in many clinical conditions associated with increased mortality and morbidity. AKI is a common complication of distinct chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin. Cisplatin induces nephrotoxicity in 20-30 percent of patients by a single dose, which is also increased by prolonged and repeated doses. Plant-derived phytochemicals have been considered to show beneficial effects against several toxic conditions. Capparis spinosa encompasses high amounts of bioactive antioxidant components. Therefore the current study aimed to evaluate its seeds potential nephroprotective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo. The protective effects of the seeds of this plant have rarly been evaluated before. In this study, 40 male Sprague Dawley rats with weights 230 +/- 20 gr in 8 groups were assessed: Control group, cisplatin single dose 7 mg/kg intraperitoneally injected group, high dose Capparis spinosa hydroalcoholic extract 200 mg/kg group, and 5 treatment groups with cisplatin 7 mg/kg IP single dose and different doses and days of treatment by extract (50 and 100 mg/kg of extract for 1 day and 12 days and one post-treatment group). Significant protective effects of the extract lowering serum creatinine and uric acid levels were seen. Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of CSE were seen in the kidney tissue. In this research study, we compared pre and post-treatment by CSE. Good nephroprotective effects were seen in post-treatment groups by CSE. Capparis spinosa is an ancient therapeutic which could be used for kidney protection in patients with AKI. However, more clinical studies are needed to detect the proper doses of therapeutic and commercial products preparations.