Protective Effect of Berberine against Arsenic-induced toxicity in kidney of rats

Introduction:Arsenic is ubiquitous in the environment, and chronic or acute exposure through food and water as well as occupational sources can contribute to a well-defined spectrum of disease. The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidative effect of berberin (BBR) against sodium arsenite (SA)-induced oxidative damage in liver of rat.Methods:Animals were divided into five groups. Group I was used as control. Group II were given SA (10 mg/kg for 21 days P.O.,). Groups 3 and 4 were orally treated with BBR (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively) for 14 days. Group V were given BBR (100 mg/kg P.O.,) for 14 days. creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured in collected blood sample. In kidney tissue, the level od MDA, NO, CAT, GSH, GPx and SOD along with TNF-α and IL1-β were asseseed.Result:Our results showed that exposure of rats to SA led to a significant (p < 0.001) increase in kidney serum markers (Cr and BUN), markers of oxidative stress (MDA and nitric oxide) and IL1-β, TNF-α. Furthermore, SA led to a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in antioxidants factors (GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD). Treatment with BBR at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight p.o. for 7 days prior to arsenic intoxication significantly improved hepatic oxidative markers and inflammatory cytokines in a dose dependant manner.Discussion & Conclusion:Present study revealed that exposure to SA cause nephrotoxicity by decreasing kidney antioxidant enzymes activity, GSH content as well as increasing liver inflammatory cytokines, NO and MDA levels. SA may damage structural and functional characteristics of kidny. Due to the prominent protective effect of BBR especially at dose of 100 mg/kg, BBR can be considered as a promising remedy to reverse the destructive effect of SA on kidny.