Pomegranate juice recuperates N’-Nitrosodiethylamine-induced kidney injury: evidence from biochemical and histological approaches

Pomegranate is considered as one of the oldest elixirs having various properties. Renal fibrosis is a preliminary sign of pathological degradation in most ailments related to kidney. Several efforts have been made for the discovery of cost-effective and safe therapeutics for the alleviation of renal diseases. There is a major dearth of studies on the action of pomegranate juice (PGJ) against NDEA-instigated kidney injury. This study investigates the protective and antifibrotic action of PGJ in restricting the occurrence of experimental renal fibrosis in Wistar rats. Renal injury was generated by a single intraperitoneal dose of 10 ml kg−1 b.wt. (1% NDEA stock), while fresh PGJ (i.p.) in doses of 2 ml kg−1 b.wt was administered thrice a week on alternate days for two weeks to observe amelioration. The renal function indices (blood urea, creatinine, and uric acid), SOD, CAT, LPO levels and renal anatomy (H&E, MT, Picrosirius and SEM) were investigated. The assessment of renal function demonstrates augmented levels of blood urea, creatinine and uric acid in NDEA-administered groups in comparison with controls. SOD, CAT declined significantly in NDEA Day-7- and Day-14-treated animals, while the MDA levels raised by ~ 70.5% and ~ 76.3% in these groups, respectively. However, supplementation of PGJ provided recuperation from these elevated levels in injured groups. H&E staining of the controls exhibited normal renal structure with intact glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule, while NDEA generated congestion of glomerular tuft, convoluted tubules with cloudy swelling and multiple subsidence of the renal tissue. Noticeable presence of collagen fibers in the interstitium of cortex region of kidney was observed by MT staining along with gross ultrastructural deterioration in NDEA-administered animals by electron microscopy. PGJ supplementation exhibited restoration of renal anatomy and physiology. Pomegranate may be considered as a potent nutraceutical to prevent NDEA-induced renal damage and may be included as a daily dietary supplement.