Nephroprotective effects of Tinospora cordifolia against carboplatin-induced renal toxicity through oxidative stress modulation and GC-MS-based identification of bioactive compounds

Carboplatin induced nephrotoxicity though life threatening with patients being treated symptomatically, has no specific drugs available for management. The current research was conducted to compare the nephroprotective potential of different doses of ethanolic leaf extract of Tinospora cordifolia (TC) against carboplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. 36 rats were divided into 6 groups (n=6). Groups 1 and 2 were given 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 1ml/kg/day orally and TC extract, 400 mg/kg/day orally for 14 days respectively. Carboplatin 90 mg/kg intraperitoneal single dose was administered to group 3 on day 5. TC extract, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day were administered to groups 4, 5, and 6 respectively for 14 days along with carboplatin on day 5. Serum was collected on days 0, 7, and 14 to evaluate renal function. Renal tissue was used to estimate antioxidant levels and for histopathological investigations. Results were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test and paired t-test. A significant (p<0.05) increase was seen in serum urea, creatinine and oxidative stress markers and reduction in antioxidants, catalase, total thiol, in the carboplatin-treated group as compared to control. All three doses of the ethanolic leaf extract of TC exhibited significant nephroprotective effects against carboplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, likely through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This was supported by decreased levels of blood urea and serum creatinine, along with histopathological evidence of renal tissue recovery.