Chlorogenic acid mitigates potassium dichromate-induced acute hepato-nephrotoxicity by attenuating the NF-κB signalling pathway.

Background: Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) is known to be a potentially hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic contaminant in humans and other animals, whose toxicity is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA), which has known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, on potassium dichromate (PDC)-induced acute hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats.

Methods And Results: Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were treated with CGA (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and/or PDC (15 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) as a single dose. Serum, liver, and kidney tissues were examined biochemically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically. Compared to the control group, a significant increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and a significant decrease in serum and renal reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, liver catalase (CAT), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels were observed in the PDC group. The administration of PDC led to histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in rat liver and kidney tissues. With the administration of CGA, especially at the 10 mg/kg dosage, the above-mentioned parameters approached normal levels.

Conclusions: CGA had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that alleviated PDC-induced acute hepato- and nephrotoxicity.