The protective effect of grape skin or purple carrot extracts against cadmium intoxication in kidney of rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of grape skin or purple carrot extracts against cadmium-induced intoxication in rats’ kidneys. For this purpose, 30 male Wistar rats were distributed into six groups (n = 5), as follows: control group; cadmium group and groups treated with grape skin at 175 or 350 mg / L doses; or purple carrot extract at 400 mg / L or 800 mg / L doses, by drinking water. In the group exposed to cadmium, histopathological analysis revealed severe tissue injury as a result of coagulation necrosis, congested vessels and inflammatory infiltrate. Animals treated with grape skin or purple carrot extracts improved the histopathological changes induced by cadmium. 8-OHdG immunoexpression and catalase gene expression decreased in rats treated with purple carrot or grape skin extracts. Grape skin extract was able to increase SOD-CuZn gene expression as well. Toll-like signaling pathway (TLR2, PIKK and TRAF6) and cytochrome c expressions were not altered after the treatment with grape skin or purple carrot extracts. Taken together, we conclude that grape skin and purple carrot extracts had a protective effect on the rats’ kidneys after cadmium intoxication, by means of tissue regenerating tissue regeneration and antioxidant properties, grape skin extract being more effective for this purpose.