Zataria multiflora Alleviates Cisplatin-Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Nephrotoxicity in Mice

Background: Cisplatin (CP), as an anticancer drug, causes nephrotoxicity. Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZM), a medicinal plant, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The current study investigated the effects of ZM on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: In the current experimental study, 22 male mice were randomly divided into four groups: the control; the ZM, 200 mg/kg during seven days via gavage; the CP, 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally on the 5th day of study; and the ZM + CP. Serum creatinine and urea levels, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels in renal tissue of mice were histopathologically and immunohistochemically assessed to determine nephrotoxicity. Results: CP caused a significant increase in serum creatinine and urea levels, increased oxidative stress in kidney tissue, caused histological changes, and increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity. ZM significantly mitigated the toxic effects of CP on the kidney tissue. In addition, treatment with ZM significantly reduced immunoreactivity of caspase-3. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggested that the ZM as a potential antioxidant compound with scavenging free radicals and anti-apoptosis property attenuated the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin.