Protective effect of chicory and/or artichoke leaves extracts on carbon tetrachloride and gamma‐irradiation‐induced chronic nephrotoxicity in rats

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is in progress that causes kidney failure, leading to global problems. This manuscript investigated the nephroprotective effects of chicory (CLE) and/or artichoke (ALE) leaves extracts on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and gamma‐irradiation (Rad)‐induced chronic nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into 10 groups (10 animals/group): group 1: control, groups 2–7 rats were treated with CLE, ALE, CLE/ALE, CCl₄, Rad, and CCl₄/Rad, respectively. Groups 8 to 10, rats were intoxicated with CCl₄/Rad, and treated with CLE, ALE, and CLE/ALE extracts, respectively, for 4 weeks. The data demonstrated that CCl₄ administration or Rad exposure induced high levels of urea and creatinine, with low levels of total protein and albumin in the serum. However, high levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), some pro‐inflammatory markers such as interleukins (IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐6), TNF‐α, NF‐κB, the fibrotic marker; TGF‐β1, calcium, and copper, low contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), iron, and zinc, and suppression of the antioxidant enzymes' activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were observed. In addition, the Wnt and β‐catenin protein expression ratios were up‐regulated in the kidney tissues of the CCl₄, and Rad intoxicated animals. However, the combined treatment CCl₄/Rad augmented these measurements. On the other hand, CLE, ALE, and CLE/ALE treatments demonstrated nephroprotection in the kidney tissues of CCl₄/Rad intoxicated animals, in the order of CLE/ALE>ALE>CLE by ameliorating the investigated parameters. Kidney tissues' histopathological examinations confirmed these results. In conclusion, CLE and/or ALE demonstrated nephroprotection against CCl₄/Rad co‐toxicity mediated by down‐regulation of renal Wnt/β‐catenin protein expressions.