Authors : Srikumar Chakravarthi, Nagaraja Haleagrahara, Chong Fu Wen, Nagaraja Lee and P.M. Thani
Abstract: Cyclosporine-A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant prescribed in organ transplants to prevent rejection. It is a calcineurin inhibitor produced by the fungi Trichoderma polysporum and Cylindrocarpon lucidum, its adverse effect of renal dysfunction has limited its use in a clinical setting. Apigenin (4', 5',7'-Trihydroxyflavone), a herbal extract, with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties has shown to reverse this adverse effect. This research was conducted to study the effects of apigenin on reversal of Cyclosporine-A induced damage and this was assessed by immunohistochemical estimation of expression of c-myc and estimation of apoptosis in histopathological sections. Rats were divided into groups and administered with CsA with Apigenin in different doses. The kidneys from the rats were harvested, weighed and observed for gross pathology changes. The renal tissue was processed and stained for haemotoxylin and eosin staining, to assess the apoptotic index and stained by immunohistochemistry, for the analysis of the apoptosis regulatory gene c-myc. The apoptotic index was then compared with the c-myc intensity to observe for any correlation. It was found that there was a high apoptotic index and c-myc intensity in the Cyclosporine-A group. Apigenin managed to reduce the values of both parameters. The apoptotic index correlated with the c-myc intensity, especially in the glomeruli. The study proved that Cyclosporine-A enhanced the expression of c-myc in the rat kidney, which signifies accelerated apoptosis. Therefore, c-myc and apoptotic index may be used to assess apigenin and its effect on Cyclosporine-A induced renal damage.
Srikumar Chakravarthi, Nagaraja Haleagrahara, Chong Fu Wen, Nagaraja Lee and P.M. Thani, 2010. c-myc Regulation and Apoptosis in Assessing the Beneficial Effect of Apigenin in Cyclosporine Induced Nephrotoxicity. Research Journal of Pharmacology, 4: 15-20.