Evaluation of the Potential Protective Effect of Beta Vulgaris L. Martima Extract Against Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil-Induced Hepato-Renal Toxicity in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Cisplatin (CP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are effective chemotherapeutic agents; however, their clinical use is limited by hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. This study evaluated the protective effect of Beta vulgaris extract (BVE) against CP-and 5-FU-induced hepatorenal injury in male albino rats. Animals received a single dose of CP (7.5 mg/kg) on the 17th day and five doses of 5-FU (50 mg/kg) for each dose, with or without BVE (500 mg/kg) for three weeks. CP and 5-FU significantly increased liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin [TB]), elevated serum creatinine (S.Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and decreased creatinine clearance (CrCl), serum albumin, and total protein. Oxidative stress biomarkers showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), in addition, a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD), in both liver and kidney tissues, and histological analysis revealed structural damage in these organs. These findings demonstrate that BVE treatment significantly improved these biochemical and histological markers, suggesting that BVE has protective effects against CP and 5-FU-induced liver and kidney toxicity.