Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with irreversible changes. Tanshinone IIA (TAN IIA) is a natural product that could be effective for prevention of CKD, however, its low systemic bioavailability hinders its absorption. Nano-based formula can overcome this problem.
Aim: To compare the histological effect of TAN IIA versus Tanshinone IIA loaded on lipid nanocapsules (TAN IIA-LNCs) on folic acid (FA) induced chronic toxicity of renal convoluted tubules in rats.
Material and Methods: 42 male rats were randomized into: group I; subdivided into 4 subgroups that received saline (control), polyethylene glycol, TAN IIA and TAN IIA-LNCs respectively, for three consecutive days, group II; received a single dose of FA, group III and IV; received TAN IIA and TAN IIA-LNCs respectively, immediately before FA injection and for two consecutive days later on, all by intraperitoneal injection. On day 28, animals were sacrificed and blood samples were obtained to measure the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and interlukin-6. Kidney tissues were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Morphometric studies were done to measure the area percentage of collagen and anti-caspase 3 immunoreactivity. All data was statistically analysed.
Results: Administration of FA resulted in obvious degenerative changes affecting the convoluted tubules. The epithelial cells were distorted with vacuolation, dark and extruded nuclei, mitochondrial changes together with cellular infiltration, widening of the interstitium with collagen deposition, significant increase in BUN, creatinine, MDA, interleukin-6, area percentage of collagen and anti-caspase 3 immunoreactivity with significant reduction in SOD and TAC. Partial preservation of the histological structure and the biochemical parameters were noticed in group III. Meanwhile, group IV showed histological and biochemical results similar to the control.
Conclusion: TAN IIA-LNCs preserved the kidney tubules more than TAN IIA from chronic renal toxicity