Antioxidant Effects of Bromelain on Paracetamol-Induced Renal Injury in Rats

Objective: Bromelain, a natural antioxidant, is the active ingredient of pineapple. Paracetamol is a nonsteroidal drug that is used worldwide as a pain reliever and causes kidney damage in high doses. This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of bromelain on paracetamol-induced kidney damage.

Methods: 56 Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 groups, namely (1) control, (2) N-acetylcysteine (140 mg/kg), (3) bromelain (100 mg/kg), (4) paracetamol (2 g/kg), (5) paracetamol (2 g/kg)+N-acetylcysteine (140 mg/kg), (6) paracetamol (2 g/ kg)+bromelain (50 mg/kg), (7) paracetamol (2 g/kg)+bromelain (100 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, creatinine and urea levels from blood serum, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels from kidney tissue, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured. Additionally, the kidney was evaluated histopathologically.

Results: It was determined that serum creatinine, urea levels, and kidney tissue MDA levels were significantly increased in rats in the paracetamol group compared to the control group, while SOD, GSH, and GPx activities were decreased (P < .050). N-acetylcysteine and bromelain applications were determined to decrease serum creatinine and urea levels and kidney tissue MDA levels caused by paracetamol and increased SOD, GSH, and GPx activities (P < .050). When the histopathological scores were examined, it was found that paracetamol-induced renal tissue damage was reduced by Bro50, Bro100, and N-acetylcysteine applications, and especially Bro100 application was more effective in reducing damage than N-acetylcysteine and Bro50 (P < .050).

Conclusion: It was determined that increased serum urea and creatine, tissue oxidative stress markers, and histopathological changes due to paracetamol have decreased thanks to the antioxidant property of bromelain. Additionally, it was determined that the Bro100 dose was more effective than the N-acetylcysteine treatment. It is thought that the obtained data will support different studies to be conducted on the usability of bromelain-supportive treatment in preventing paracetamol-induced kidney damage.

Cite this article as: Akaras N, Toktay E, Aydemir Celep N, Yüce N, Şimşek H, Özkan Hİ. Antioxidant effects of bromelain on paracetamol-induced renal injury in rats. Arch Basic Clin Res., 2023;5(3):364-371.