The Protective Potential of Cardamom in an Experimental Bladder Ischemia-Reperfusion Model

Bladder ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury causes tissue damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular dysfunction. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) has shown protective effects on various tissues due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on bladder I/R injury have not been adequately investigated.This study aimed to investigate the biochemical and histopathological protective effects of cardamom extract against bladder I/R injury.Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: I/R group, sham group, and cardamom treatment group. The I/R group underwent 30 minutes of ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion. The cardamom group received 50 mg/kg of cardamom extract via gavage 24 hours before the I/R process. Bladder tissues were collected for biochemical analysis of oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, CAT) and histopathological examination.In the cardamom-treated group, MDA levels were significantly lower, and SOD and CAT enzyme activities were significantly higher compared to the I/R group (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed prominent inflammation, edema, and disruption of epithelial integrity in the I/R group, while the cardamom group exhibited notably reduced tissue damage and better-preserved epithelial integrity.Cardamom extract demonstrated a protective effect against bladder I/R injury by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing inflammation. Further clinical studies are needed to better understand the bladder-protective effects of cardamom.