Nobiletin ameliorates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects

Cisplatin is an effective anti-cancer drug which causes remarkable toxicity to kidney by generating reactive oxygen species and by stimulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathway. Citrus flavonoid, like nobiletin has been reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate these properties of nobiletin, a polymethoxy flavone in cisplatin-induced acute renal injury. Adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups. Nobiletin was administered at the dose of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg for a period of 10 days. On 7th day, a single injection of cisplatin (8 mg/kg) was injected to rats. Cisplatin administration resulted in renal dysfunction as evident by increase in serum creatinine and BUN levels. Oxidative stress in cisplatin group was reflected by increase in MDA level, and depletion of anti-oxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in renal tissue. Furthermore, cisplatin increased the expressions of Bax, caspase-3 and DNA damage along with decreased expression of Bcl-2 in the renal tissue. Histological analysis also revealed acute tubular necrosis. However, pretreatment with nobiletin preserved renal function and restored anti-oxidant status. Nobiletin supplementation inhibited activation of apoptotic pathways and DNA damage. It also attenuated tubular injury histologically. Collectively, the result of this study suggests the nephroprotective potential of nobiletin which may be related to its anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects.