Reduction of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by cystone, a polyherbal ayurvedic preparation, in C57BL/6J mice bearing B16F1 melanoma without reducing its antitumor activity

The effect of cystone, a polyherbal ayurvedic preparation, on the nephrotox icity and antitumor activity of cisplatin is studied in C57BL/6J mice beari ng B16F1 melanoma. Intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin 6 mg/kg, res ulted in significant reduction of body weight, elevation of blood urea nitr ogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels on day 5. Cystone was found to prote ct tumor-bearing mice from cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, when given i.p . 1 h before cisplatin. At 1000 mg/kg, it showed 46, 57 and 66% protection on body weight, BUN and serum creatinine levels, respectively. Treatment of cisplatin alone to tumor bearing mice resulted in significant antitumor ac tivity as measured by tumor appearance, tumor volume and tumor weight. Pre- treatment with cystone (1000 mg/kg) did not reduce the antitumor activity o f cisplatin. These results suggested that cystone protects against cisplati n-induced nephrotoxicity without interfering with its antitumor activity. T he present study has many clinical implications in cisplatin chemotherapy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.