Protective effect of Momordica charantia against Hepatorenal toxicity induced by Potassium bromate (KBrO3) in rats

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia on hepatorenal toxicity caused by potassium bromate (KBrO3) in rats. Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups as control, KBrO3, bitter melon (MC), and KBrO3+MC. Examining the antioxidant enzyme grade of the kidney tissues, it was found that the enzyme activities of catalase (CAT) (P<0.05), glutathione peroxidase (GSH–Px) (P<0.01), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01) decreased in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control. There was a significant decrease (P<0.001) in glutathione (GSH) levels and an increase (P<0.01) in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control. Examining the antioxidant enzyme activities in liver tissue, it was determined that CAT, GSH–Px, and SOD enzymes reduced significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.001, respectively) in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control, and the enzyme activity of decreased CAT, GSH–Px, and SOD enzymes significantly elevated (P<0.01) in the MC group. There was a reduction in GSH level in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control (P<0.01), while an increase was recorded in the KBrO3+MC group (P<0.05). MDA level in liver tissue increased in KBrO3 group in comparison to the control (P<0.01) and MC decreased the MDA level. Histopathological analysis results indicate severe degenerative and necrotic lesions in hepatorenal histoarchitecture of KBrO3 rats in comparison to the control. However, application of MC+KBrO3 significantly reduced the induced hepatorenal injury with a concomitant increase in histopathological lesions. From the immunohistochemical aspect, MC revealed apoptosis concomitant with the suppression of necrosis in the KBrO3-treated rats as demonstrated by the caspase-3 activity.