Özet:

Objective Cadmium (Cd) is a very toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal that can cause harmful effects on human health. Toxicity may develop due to Cd exposure, especially in the kidneys. Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) is a herbal mix that is used for its hemostatic properties in surgery. Also, ABS enhances wound and tissue healing. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the possible ameliorative effects of ABS in Cd-induced renal damage. Material and Method Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, Cd (cadmium chloride, 2.5 mg/kg single dose, ip), ABS (ABS, 1.5 ml/kg single dose ip), and Cd+ABS (cadmium chloride, 2.5 mg/kg single dose ip- ABS, 1.5 ml/kg single dose ip). At the end of the experiment, urea and creatinine levels were analyzed from the rats’ serum. In addition, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured spectrophotometrically from renal tissues. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated from TOS and TAS levels. Also, we evaluated alterations in the mRNA expression of Bcl- 2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell-lymphoma-2 (Bcl- 2), silenced information regulator 1 (SIRT1), and p53 in kidney tissue of rats by using the qRT-PCR method. Results In the Cd group, serum urea, creatinine levels, and tissue oxidative stress markers, TOS and OSI were significantly higher while Gpx activity was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). Also, the expression of p53 and in Bax/Bcl2 ratio significantly increased in the Cd group (p<0.05). But, ABS treatment significantly decreased urea, creatinine, TOS, OSI levels, and Bax/Bcl2 ratio, p53 expression in Cd applied group (p<0.05). Conclusion Ankaferd blood stopper showed protective effects by reducing oxidative stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in acute Cd exposure.