Safflower seed oil extracts mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in cyclophosphamide-induced multi-organ injury

Purpose: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an antimitotic agent widely used in cancer treatment; however, its use may cause oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and subsequent tissue damage in multiple organs. This study aimed to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower) seed oil extracts against CP-induced liver, kidney, lung, heart, and bladder injury.Method: Healthy Wistar Albino male rats weighing 160±200 g and aged 5–6 weeks were used in the study. The animals were divided into nine experimental groups, and different doses of CP and Carthamus tinctorius seed oil extracts were administered. Biochemical analyses, histopathological examinations, and antioxidant parameters were evaluated to determine the extent of tissue injury and the protective effects of the extracts.Findings: CP administration caused significant histopathological alterations in the liver, kidney, lung, heart, and bladder tissues. CP exposure was also associated with increased oxidative stress parameters (NT, TT, SDS) and elevated apoptotic markers, including Bax and caspase-3. These findings were consistent with biochemical alterations, including changes in ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, BUN, and creatinine levels. In contrast, treatment with Carthamus tinctorius seed oil extracts markedly reduced tissue damage and enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms.Conclusion: The findings indicate that Carthamus tinctorius seed oil extracts may exert protective effects against CP-induced multi-organ injury by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Therefore, safflower seed oil may have potential as a complementary pharmacological agent for the prevention and management of cyclophosphamide-induced organ toxicity.