The comparison between curcumin and propolis against sepsis-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in kidney of adult male rat

Background: Propolis is a honeybee product displaying an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effect on several tested animal models. Curcumin a polyphenol extracted from turmeric that gained interest as a potentially safe and inexpensive treatment for kidney diseases. The present study aimed to compare the protective effects of curcumin and propolis on endotoxemia-induced renal dysfunction. Results: Sepsis induction caused a marked decline in renal GSH, GPx, and GR, as well as antioxidant enzyme activities; CAT and SOD. Elevation in LPO, NO, IL-1 beta, and PGE2 contents were observed as well. A marked induction in Bax contents, Bax\Bcl2 ratio, accompanied by activation of NF-kB in the kidney of sepsis-induced rats was reported. However, Prop pretreatment of endotoxemic rats was effective in controlling the depletion of renal GSH content and its correlated enzymes; Cur was more potent in maintaining the renal CAT and SOD contents, as well as, dimensioning LPO content. Despite the renal inflammatory marker IL-1 beta, PGE2, NO contents, Bax\Bcl(2) ratio, and NF-kB activation were greatly reduced by both curcumin and propolis, only Cur pretreatment attenuated NF-kB activation in kidney tissue of septic rat. Conclusion: Though pretreatment of either Cur or Prop to septic rats protected their kidneys against oxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis status, Cur pretreatment was superior in protecting rats' kidney after sepsis induction.