Comparative effects of curcumin and nanocurcumin on cisplatin-induced Acute Kidney Injury

Cisplatin is a highly efficacious chemotherapeutic drug; however, it can trigger nephrotoxicity. Previous studies have suggested that curcumin can protect kidneys from cisplatin-induced toxicity. However, its low bioavailability hampers its usage. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different nanocurcumin concentrations on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, each receiving a different treatment for 9 days: normal, cisplatin, cisplatin + curcumin, cisplatin+nanocurcumin50, and cisplatin+nanocurcumin100. Kidney and plasma samples were analyzed. A larger concentration of curcumin was detected in the kidneys of the curcumin-treated group than in the nanocurcumin-treated groups, however no statistically significant differences between groups. The concentration of nanocurcumin in the kidneys of the group treated with cisplatin + nanocurcumin 50 mg/kgBW group was higher than in those treated with cisplatin + nanocurcumin 100 mg/kgBW group. These results are consistent with the expression levels of kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in kidney, as both these genes were expressed at lower levels in the nanocurcumin 50 mg/kgBW. We conclude that nanocurcumin at a dose of 50 mg/kgBW might protect the kidney against cisplatin-induced damage through decreased levels of KIM1 and NGAL.