Can crocin play a preventive role in Wistar rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity?

Objective(s): To investigate protective role of crocin by attempting to create nephrotoxicity with carbon tetrachloride. Materials and Methods: Ethics committee approval was obtained and 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups that included 10 rats each: Control, Corn oil, Crocin, Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and Crocin + Carbon tetrachloride. Following the experiments, the rats were decapitated under anesthesia and incised kidney tissues were subjected to biochemical and histological examinations. Results: In the CCl4 administered group, MDA, TOS, Bun, and creatinine levels increased, GSH, SOD, CAT, and TAS levels decreased (P≤0.05), glomerular collapse in kidney sections, narrowing and local occlusion in Bowman’s space in certain glomeruli, inflammatory cell infiltration and congestion were observed when compared to all other groups. There was a significant decrease in increased MDA, TOS, Bun, and creatinine levels, and a significant increase in decreased GSH, SOD, CAT, and TAS levels in CCl4 + crocin administered group compared to the CCl4 group (P≤0.05), local minimal glomerular damage, tubular damage, inflammatory infiltration, and vascular collagen symptoms were observed in kidney sections, however significant improvement was observed in damage findings when compared to the CCl4 group. Conclusion: At this dose and time interval, against a highly toxic chemical such as CCl4, crocin was able to suppress oxidative stress by playing a protective role in the kidney tissue.