Bromelain protects kidneys against cyclophosphamide nephrotoxicity

Abstract

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer drug; however, it has toxic adverse effects on kidney. Bromelain (BRM) is a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple plants, having many activities in several areas of therapeutic treatments. In this experimental study, BRM was evaluated for its ability to suppress apoptosis and inflammation on CP-induced nephrotoxicity.Method: Twenty-four female albino rats (Wistar strain) were distributed into four groups (n=6): control, BRM, CP, and CP+BRM. Kidney tissues of rats were used to evaluate the apoptotic and inflammatory changes.Results: In the CP group, severe histological damage was evident; tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Bcl-2-associated x protein (Bax) immunoreactivities were increased, but no statistically significant change was observed in the immunoactivity of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). In the CP + BRM group, BRM restored renal histopathology, and inhibited the overexpression of CP-induced apoptotic and inflammatory markers. Moreover, a statistically significant increase was observed for Bcl-2 expression in the treatment group.Conclusions: The current study indicates a significant role of apoptosis and inflammation in CP-induced kidney injury and points to the therapeutic potential of BRM against CP-induced nephrotoxicity.