Berberine (100 mg/kg) significantly mitigates cisplatin-induced multi-organ toxicity in rats

Cisplatin (CPN) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent used against various cancers. However, its clinical utility is severely limited by multi-organ toxicity, including cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. This systemic damage is primarily mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Current standard-of-care often involves supportive therapies, but a direct protective adjuvant is needed to improve patient tolerability and treatment adherence. Berberine (BRB), a natural polyphenolic alkaloid, is being investigated for its profound protective activities against these mechanisms.

Researchers investigated berberine's protective effects in a rat model of cisplatin-induced multi-organ toxicity. Rats received Berberine orally at 50 mg/kg bodyweight/day or 100 mg/kg bodyweight/day for 14 days. Cisplatin (CPN) was administered via two intraperitoneal doses of 7 mg/kg bodyweight on day 7 and day 14 to induce toxicity. A control group likely received CPN without berberine. Primary endpoints included biochemical assessments of kidney, heart, and liver function, as well as histopathological examinations of these tissues.

Cisplatin intoxication induced significant biochemical and histopathological alterations across the kidney, heart, and liver. Berberine treatment, however, significantly mitigated these CPN-induced elevations. Specifically, berberine reduced serum levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), myocardial function markers like brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin T (CTn-T), and hepatic function indices. Furthermore, berberine decreased lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in renal, cardiac, and hepatic tissues. While both doses were effective, Berberine 100 mg/kg demonstrated superior protection.

Berberine 100 mg/kg exhibited higher reductions in BNP and CTn-T levels, indicating enhanced cardiac protection compared to the lower dose. Histopathological analysis confirmed that berberine reduced necrosis and inflammation, and moderately alleviated structural damage in the CPN-intoxicated kidneys, heart, and liver. Berberine at both 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg reversed CPN-associated changes, with the higher dose showing greater protective potential.