Evaluation of the ameliorative role of pineapple ( <i>Ananas comosus</i> ) fruit extract against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent for solid tumors, but its clinical use is limited by dose-dependent nephrotoxicity, affecting approximately 20–30% of patients. Ananas comosus (pineapple) is a nutrient-rich tropical fruit with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of Ananas comosus fruit extract (ACFE) against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats. Thirty-two male rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8): control, ACFE-treated (300 mg/kg/day), cisplatin-treated (5 mg/kg/week for four weeks), and cisplatin-treated followed by ACFE administration. At the end of the experiment, blood and kidney samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analysis. Cisplatin administration resulted in marked renal dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and histological damage. ACFE treatment significantly improved renal function by reducing serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid levels. It also restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, NF-κB, and IL-1β. Histopathological alterations were markedly attenuated, while caspase-3 and iNOS expression decreased, indicating reduced apoptosis and inflammation. These findings demonstrate that ACFE effectively protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.