Humans are frequently exposed to aluminum from various food additives, therapeutic treatments and the environment, and it can be potentially toxic.
This study is aimed to elucidate the protective effects of propolis against aluminum chloride (AlCl(3) )-induced histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in kidney tissues of rats. Sixty Wistar Albino male rats (average weight 250-300 g) were divided into three equal groups. The first served as a negative control. The second received AlCl(3) (34 mg/kg bw, 1/ 25 LD 50). The third were administered AlCl(3) (34 mg/kg bw, 1/ 25 LD 50) plus propolis (50 mg/kg bw). Doses were given once daily via a gavage for 8 weeks every day.
The results showed that shrunken glomeruli, intraglomerular
congestion, loss of apical microvilli, degeneration of mitochondria and widened
rough endoplasmic reticulum were also observed in the Proximal Convoluted
Tubules of these animals. Treatment with propolis ameliorated the harmful
effects of AlCl(3) ; this was also proved histopathologically by the noticeable
improvement in the renal tissues. There were also significant variations in the
expressed of ki-67 and p53 proteins.
It can be concluded that propolis may be promising as a natural therapeutic
agent in AlCl(3) -induced renal toxicity and oxidative stress in rat kidneys.