Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential protective effect of the methanolic extract of broccoli against oxidative stress induced by diclofenac in rats. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to cause nephrotoxicity, hence the need to explore the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants.
Materials and methods: A total of 48 adult male Wister rats with a maximum age of 2-3 months with an average weight of 220 g were randomly divided into four equal groups (12 in each group The first group was control (C) and fed physiological saline without treatment, the second group was BC which treated with broccoli methanolic extract (BMX) at a dose of 500 mg/kg/Intraperitoneal injection, the third group was DC which treated with diclofenac sodium (DIC, 100 mg/kg, Intra-muscular injection), and the fourth group was BC plus DC which treated diclofenac sodium (100 mg/kg, Intra-muscular injection) and broccoli (500 mg/kg/ Intraperitoneal injection). After blood collection, serum was isolated, and urea, creatinine, interleukin-1, and TNF-α were measured in blood serum. In kidney tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. At the end of the study, the samples were taken for histopathological investigation.
Results: The results of the present study indicated that diclofenac sodium causes severe kidney damage. The levels of creatinine and urea showed a significant increase in the DC group compared with the control and other treatment groups. The pro-inflammatory biomarkers in blood serum increased in the DC group and significantly decreased in the BC+DC group compared with control and other treatment groups. These changes were in line with the significant decrease of GPx and CAT enzyme levels in the DC group and its increase in the BC group. Malondialdehyde increased in the DC group and reached its lowest level in the BC group. Hyperemic changes, accumulation of inflammatory cells, and bleeding were indicators of diclofenac tissue poisoning reported in the kidney.
Conclusion: The results of biochemical and histopathological showed that broccoli extract at the dosage of 500 mg/kg with strong antioxidant potential can drama a protective role against diclofenac damage in the kidney.