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, 10mg/kg, po) for 21days. Group 3 received EA (30mg/kg, po) for 14days. Groups 4 and 5 received SA 7days prior to EA (10 and 30mg/kg respectively) treatment and continued up to 21days 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 30mg/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.