The possible ameliorative role of Moringa oleifera seed oil on sofosbuvir-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats; histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical studies

Background Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. Sofosbuvir (sofo) is a nucleotide analog inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase used to treat chronic hepatitis C infection as a component of a combination of antiviral treatment regimen. Many side effects of sofo were reported in different mammalian organs including kidney. Moringa oleifera (MO) is one of the medicinal plants which have many pharmacological activities and nutritional applications due to its rich phytonutrients content. This study aimed to investigate the possible ameliorative effect of MO seed oil against nephrotoxicity induced by sofo in adult male albino rats. The experimental animals were divided equally into four groups. Group I: animals were served as control. Group II: animals were orally given MO oil (2 ml/kg/day). Group III: animals were orally administered with sofo (36 mg/kg/day). Group IV: animals were orally given sofo then after 2 h they were given MO oil (with the same previous doses). All doses were daily given to the animals for eight weeks. At the end of the experiments, animals were sacrificed and sera were collected to determine urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde levels and catalase activity. Kidneys were removed out and prepared for both the histological and immunohistochemical studies. Results Sofo-treated animals showed many pathological changes; damaged glomeruli and degenerated renal tubules with vacuolated lining epithelial cells contain pyknotic nuclei. In addition, leukocytic infiltration, congested blood vessels and hemorrhage were seen. Caspase-3 and PCNA were expressed in a large number of cells in the same group. Moreover, a significant increase in urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde levels was recorded as well as a significant decrease in catalase activity. Co-treatment of MO oil with sofo effectively counteracted the observed adverse effects. It attenuated the histological picture of the kidney, significantly ameliorated urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde levels and catalase activity and restored the normal expressions of caspase-3 and PCNA. Conclusions Moringa oleifera oil can ameliorate nephrotoxicity induced by sofo via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.