AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF CHRYSIN AGAINST POTASSIUM DICHROMATE-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN MALE RATS

Abstract

This study investigated the protective effect of Chrysin, a naturally occurring flavone, against potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇)-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Thirty-two adult rats were allocated to four groups (n = 8 per group): control, potassium dichromate (7.5 mg/kg/day), potassium dichromate + Chrysin low dose (25 mg/kg/day), and potassium dichromate + Chrysin high dose (50 mg/kg/day). Renal function (serum urea, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), renal oxidative stress and antioxidant status (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase), and renal histopathology were assessed. Rats exposed to potassium dichromate alone exhibited marked renal dysfunction, with serum creatinine, urea and blood urea nitrogen approximately three-fold, 1.8-fold and 2.3-fold higher, respectively, than controls, together with a pronounced elevation of malondialdehyde and depletion of reduced glutathione, and severe histopathological lesions including glomerular capillary hemorrhage, swelling of the glomerular tuft with obliteration of Bowman’s space, and cloudy swelling of the renal tubules. Superoxide dismutase activity did not differ significantly among groups (P = 0.33). Co-administration of Chrysin produced a dose-dependent improvement in all measured renal function and oxidative stress parameters, with the high dose restoring blood urea nitrogen, serum urea and malondialdehyde to levels statistically indistinguishable from controls, and producing the greatest degree of histological protection, characterized by mild residual tubular degeneration with relatively preserved renal architecture. These findings indicate that Chrysin exerts significant, dose-dependent nephroprotective effects against potassium-dichromate-induced renal injury, most plausibly attributable to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory propertie.