Misuse and abuse of
anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) such as
oxymetholone (OM) cause side effects such as
male infertility, cardiovascular disorders, musculoskeletal, and hepato-renal dysfunctions in athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Lepidium draba L. (L. draba) extract on OM-induced hepato-renal toxicity. Thirty adult male Wistar rats into six groups (n = 5) were randomly divided as follows: control (
normal saline), OM (5 mg/kg/day), L. draba-treated (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/d) plus 5 mg/kg/day OM, and L. draba (400 mg/kg/d) groups.
Normal saline, OM and L. draba extract were orally administered for 30 days. On day 31 of the study, hepatic and renal biochemical parameters were measured. Serum
cytokines (IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6)
tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and
nitric oxide, levels alongside
catalase,
glutathione peroxidase, and
superoxide dismutase activity were evaluated. Also, changes in liver and kidney histopathology were evaluated. Finally, the
anti-oxidant properties of the extract were determined. The results of this study showed that in the groups treated with the L. draba extract, hepatic-renal biochemical parameters improved and also the level of
nitric oxide and inflammatory
cytokines decreased and the activity of
anti-oxidant enzymes increased compared with the OM group. These findings revealed that L. draba, due to its high
anti-oxidant properties and high content of
polyphenols (especially
flavonoids), can improve OM-induced hepato-renal oxidative damages. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: L. draba due to its remarkable
anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can protects the kidney and liver
injuries against
oxymetholone. These features are attributed to the presence of phenolic and
flavonoid components. This fidings would be helpful to desgin new therapeutic agents for treating and preventing liver/kidney
injuries.