Echinochrome guarding effect against sodium arsenite-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

Background: The persistent and accumulative qualities of the poisonous metalloid arsenic make it a ubiquitous environmental threat. Echinochrome (Ech) is a natural product that possesses antioxidative, antiviral, antialgal, anti-allergic, and antibacterial effects. Aim: The work investigates the beneficial impact of Ech on sodium arsenite-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Eighteen male rats dispersed equally among three groups: control, sodium arsenite (AS), and AS + Ech. Rats were administered AS (10 mg/kg) and Ech (1 mg/kg BW) by gavage for the experimental duration of 30 days. Ech inhibits oxidative stress by improving antioxidant levels, including glutathione, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase, with a concomitant decrease in the amounts of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in kidney and liver tissues. Moreover, it reduced blood concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine. Concurrently, Ech resulted in a substantial increase in albumin and total protein levels. Additionally, Ech inhibits inflammation by reducing serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase 2, and prostaglandin E2. Conclusion: Ech mitigates arsenic-induced hepatorenal damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways.