Protective effects of 1,8-cineole against potassium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: Evaluation of oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptotic pathways
Aim: Potassium dichromate is a heavy metal associated with nephrotoxicity in people and animals, resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in tissues. 1,8-cineole is a monoterpene with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of 1,8-cineole against potassium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity.Material and Methods: This study involved 40 male Wistar albino rats, randomly allocated to five groups (n=8): control, vehicle, potassium dichromate (PD), 1,8-cineole (CN), and potassium dichromate combined with 1,8-cineole (PD+CN). All treatments were administered orally once daily for 28 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were assessed as oxidative stress in kidney tissue. Furthermore, levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were evaluated as indicators of inflammation. Bax expression was analyzed through immunohistochemical methods, and histopathological changes in kidney tissue were assessed. Results: In the kidney tissue of rats in the PD group, elevated levels of MDA, NF-κB, and TNF-α were noted relative to other experimental groups, although activities of GSH, SOD, and CAT were decreased (p