The protective role of hawthorn in kidneys of the adult albino rat treated with adriamycin: histopathological study

Adriamycin is an anti-neoplastic drug. Its clinical use is restricted due to its tissue toxicity. Hawthorn exhibited good antioxidant activities. We aimed to use a histological approach for evaluating the protective effect of hawthorn against the kidney of rats treated with adriamycin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Animals were divided into four groups. Group I was control. Group II was treated with an accumulative dose of 15 mg/kg/day in 6 equal i.p injections (2.5 mg/kg every 3 days). Group III was treated with adriamycin same doses and hawthorn with doses 200 mg/kg for 20 days. Group IV was treated with adriamycin first for 20 days then followed by 20 days hawthorn. Kidneys specimens were examined by light and transmission electron microscopes. RESULTS: Adriamycin caused degenerative changes in the renal glomeruli and tubules. The capillaries and urinary spaces were dilated. Tubular congestion and presence of tubular cast were visible. Deposition of collagen fibres and fibrosis with interstitial haemorrhage were also noticed. Thickening and irregularity of basement membranes were revealed and the foot processes had disappeared. Vacuoles were observed in the tubular cytoplasm with degeneration and loss of the microvillus. In group III, the cellular structure was better preserved as compared with group II. Improvement is moderate in group IV. CONCLUSION: Treatment with hawthorn and adriamycin together revealed that the kidney structure was better preserved when compared with group II. Improvement was also noticed in treatment with hawthorn after adriamycin treatment but not the same degree like treatment with adriamycin and hawthorn together.