Pomegranate flower extract does not prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats

Background: nephrotoxicity is the major side-effect of cisplatin (cddp),and it is reported to be gender-related. we evaluated the effects of pomegranate flower extract (pfe) as an antioxidant on cddp-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats.methods: twenty-three adult female rats in four groups treated as following. groups 1 and 2 received pfe at doses of 25 and 50 (mg/kg/day),respectively,for 9 days,and from day 3 on,they also received cisplatin (cddp) (2.5 mg/kg) daily. group 3 was treated as group 1 expects saline instead of pfe,and group 4 received pfe (25 mg/kg/day) alone.results: cisplatin alone increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,and nitrite; and kidney tissue damage score and kidney weight. however,pfe not only did not ameliorate the induced nephrotoxicity,but also aggravated renal tissue damage.conclusions: pomegranate extract as an antioxidant did not ameliorate cddp-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats. © 2014,isfahan university of medical sciences(iums). all rights reserved.