Protective role of propolis on diazinon induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rats

Diazinon has been reported to produce oxidative stress and adverse effects on many organs. In contrast, propolis components behave as hydrophilic antioxidants. To evaluate the protective effect of propolis on diazinon-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rats, eighty adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups: control, diazinon treated, propolis treated and diazinon plus propolis groups. Control group were divided into two subgroups: the first was not given any treatment and the second one received 1.5 ml of sterile distilled water through intro-gastric tube daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The diazinon group was treated with 10 mg/kg through intra-gastric tube, daily for 4 weeks. The propolis group received 50 mg/kg through intra-gastric tube, daily for 4 weeks. The diazinon-plus-propolis group was treated with the same doses as previous groups. Kidneys were removed and processed for haematoxylin and eosin, caspase-3 immunostaining and electron microscopic examination. Renal tissues of diazinon-treated rats showed histopathological and ultrastructural changes such as shrunken glomerulus, hemorrhage, congestion, increased Bowmans space, inflammatory infiltration, degenerated tubules with vacuolated epithelial cell lining, pyknosis and necrotic debris. Rats of the diazinonplus-propolis group showed a marked reduction in these pathological features. We conclude that propolis can ameliorate the nephrotoxicity induced by diazinon.