Exploring the Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Pumpkin and Olive Oil on Doxorubicin-induced Renal Toxicity in Rats

Background Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline-based chemotherapeutic agent, has been widely used as a first-line treatment for several cancers, including hematological and solid tumors, but its clinical utility is limited by severe cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Purpose This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of pumpkin oil (PO), olive oil (OO), and their combinations against DOX-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods A total of six groups of rats were established for this experiment. The first group of rats served as a normal control and received only the vehicle for 10 days. The second group served as a positive control and received only the same pumpkin-to-OO ratio (1:1 v/v) orally daily for 10 days. The third group was a toxic group and received DOX 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally only on the fourth day. Groups four, five, and six were treated orally with pumpkin, olive, or a combination of both oils (10 mL/kg) daily for 10 days, followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of 20 mg/kg DOX on the 7th day. Results The toxic group exhibited a significant increase in oxidative stress thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)), apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and caspase-9), renal markers (triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (Cr)), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation while antioxidant (glutathione (GSH)) and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were significantly reduced in comparison to the normal control. These alterations were notably reversed upon treatment with pumpkin and OO alone, as well as a combination, in comparison to the toxic group. These changes were also reflected in the histopathology of the kidney. No significant difference was observed between the positive and normal controls. Conclusion Thus, we can conclude that the potential synergistic effects of pumpkin and OO in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, which may play a significant role as a native medicine in the future, with limitations.