Protective role of Ipomoea obscura (L.) on cyclophosphamide-induced uro- and nephrotoxicities by modulating antioxidant status and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely used, alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. Its urotoxicity may cause dose-limiting side-effects, for example haemorrhagic cystitis. This urotoxicity may lead to nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the protective role of Ipomoea obscura against CP-induced uro- and nephrotoxicities in animal models. Swiss albino mice were treated with an acute dose of CP (1.5 mmol/kg body wt ip) in the presence and absence of alcoholic extract of I. obscura (10 mg/kg, body wt, ip) for 5 days. The toxicities caused by CP were reversed by the extract administration as evident from the decrease in BUN, serum creatinine levels as well as an increase in body weight. A significant increase in kidney antioxidant system such as, GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx was also observed in extract-treated animals. Histopathological analysis of urinary bladder and kidney indicated that CP-induced tissue damage was significantly reduced in animals treated with I. obscura. The lowered levels of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2, after CP treatment were found to be increased in treated animals. At the same time the level of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, which was elevated during CP administration, was significantly reduced by extract administration. This study clearly demonstrates that I. obscura can ameliorate CP-induced bladder and renal toxicities by modulating antioxidant status and proinflammatory cytokine levels.