Ellagic acid mitigates sodium arsenite-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in male Wistar rats

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on arsenic-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in rats. Methods: A total number of 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. Group 1 received normal saline (po). Group 2 received sodium arsenite (SA, 10 mg/kg, po) for 21 days. Group 3 received EA (30 mg/kg, po) for 14 days. Groups 4 and 5 received SA 7 days prior to EA (10 and 30 mg/kg respectively) treatment and continued up to 21 days simultaneous with SA administration. Various biochemical, histological and molecular biomarkers were measured in kidney and liver. Results: Treatment with EA (more potently at dose of 30 mg/kg) restored the SA-induced alterations in serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urine nitrogen (BUN) levels as well as the changes in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations (all p < 0.001). Elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in renal and hepatic tissue was reduced by EA treatment (all p < 0.001). Treatment with EA enhanced the glutathione (GSH) content in liver (p < 0.001) and up-regulated renal and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA expression (all p < 0.001). The SA-induced histopathological alterations in kidney and liver were reduced by EA treatment. Conclusion: In conclusion, the presence of EA with SA alleviated its toxic effects and EA treatment might be an effective strategy for the management of arsenic-induced renal and hepatic damage. © 2018 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Science