Ziziphus jujube protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

All components of Ziziphus jujube (ZJ) were used in medicine and food in ancient Iran and China. Cisplatin is one of the most important drugs in the treatment of solid tumors. Taking this drug can result in nephrotoxicity through several mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ZJ on the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin in rats. Thirty-five experimental rats were randomly divided into the following five groups (n = 7 per group) for an 8-day study: 1- Group C1 was the control group and received distilled water (1 ml/day); 2- Group C2 received a single dose of intraperitoneal cisplatin (5 mg/kg); 3- Group ZJ received 1500 mg/kg/day Ziziphus Jujube extract orally; 4- Group ZJ1 was given 1500 mg/kg/day of Ziziphus Jujube extract orally with taking a single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg) on the first day only; 5- Group ZJ2 received 3000 mg/kg/day of Ziziphus jujube extract orally with taking a single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg) on the first day only. Eventually, histopathological parameters, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were assessed. The findings showed that cisplatin administration resulted in severe degeneration in all parts of the nephron tubules. Also, the present study showed that MDA levels were significantly lower in both ZJ1 and ZJ2 groups compared with those in group C2 (p < 0.01). Moreover, the cisplatin-induced elevation of serum BUN levels significantly decreased in both ZJ1 and ZJ2 groups in comparison with that in group C2 (p < 0.01). In addition, serum levels of both ALT and AST were significantly higher in group C2 in comparison with those in group C1 (p < 0.05). Extensive tubular necrosis was seen in group C2. In brief, results of this research indicated that ZJ could prevent cisplatin-induced kidney injury in rats.