Effect of Co-administration Rotenone and Crocin on Biochemical and Histopathological Changes in Rat᾽s Kidney

Background: Rotenone is one of the most widely used pesticides in agriculture and may affect public health through the food chain. A possible mechanism of rotenone toxicity is oxidative stress. This study, the supportive effect of crocin (a substance derived from saffron) as an antioxidant on the renal toxicity of rotenone in an experimental animal model was investigated. Methods: First, male rats were divided into 4 groups (6 in each group) and received saline, crocin, rotenone and rotenone-crocin combination intraperitoneally for 10 days, respectively. Blood and kidney tissue samples were then isolated and biochemical factors including creatinine, nitrogen blood urea (BUN), sodium, potassium, Malondialdehyde and catalase were measured. The kidneys were examined histopathologically with a light microscope. Results: The results showed that rotenone caused damage to kidney tissue, which was observed in the form of vacuole degeneration, hyperemia and influx of inflammatory cells. Crocin has also been shown to reduce the severity of rotenone-induced kidney damage. Also results showed that biochemical changes were not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusions: the crocin has protective influence on histopathological changes in rat᾽s kidney following rotenone administration.