Renoprotective potential of olive leaves extract against cadmium-induced chronic kidney damage

Environmental pollution remains a major global health concern, particularly when it comes to heavy metals, which are associated with various health hazards. Among the prevalent heavy metals in the environment is cadmium (Cd). As a result, the current study aimed to investigate the nephroprotective potential of olive leaves extract (OLE) against Cd-induced chronic renal injury. Forty-eight albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Rats in the control group were received distilled water orally, while those in the OLE group were orally administered OLE 200 (mg/kg b.wt.) daily. The cadmium-intoxicated group rats were orally gavage 5 mg Cd/kg b.wt. twice a week and the OLE+Cd group received the same doses of both OLE and CdCl2. After 4 and 8 weeks of the experiment, blood and kidney samples were collected for analysis of kidney function test and histopathological examination. Oral administration of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) for 4 and 8 weeks resulted in nephrotoxicity, evidenced by a significant increase (P<0.05) in urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels. These biochemical changes were accompanied by distinct histopathological alterations, including renal hemorrhage, edema and vasculitis with severe glomerular and tubular necrosis as well as periglomerular fibrosis and marked interstitial fibrosis. Treatment with OLE exhibited a remarkable reduction in these histopathological changes and restored the serum parameters toward normal levels. In conclusion, OLE has a time-dependent mitigating effect against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity by reducing inflammation, glomerulotubular injury, and renal fibrosis, indicating that it is a potential natural product in counteracting chronic nephrotoxicity.