Plantago major protects against cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction and tissue damage in rats.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Plantago major (P. major) on cisplatin-induced kidney injury in the rat. Cisplatin was injected on the 6th day of the experiment. Animals were treated with P. major extract (300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg) and Vitamin E for five days before and two weeks after cisplatin administration. Cisplatin caused a significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine osmolarity, and urinary excretion rate of potassium, but significant increase in the kidney index and histological damage compared with the control group. Administration of Vitamin E and P. major (300 and 600 mg/kg) significantly increased GFR compared to cisplatin group. Furthermore, urine osmolarity in Vitamin E and P. major (600 mg/kg) groups were significantly elevated compared to the cisplatin group. P. major (600 mg/kg) significantly increased the urinary excretion rate of potassium compared with cisplatin group. Furthermore, all doses of P. major and Vitamin E significantly attenuated the percentage of kidney tissue damage compared to the cisplatin group. However, only P. major (600 mg/kg) and Vitamin E treated rats showed a significant reduction in the kidney index. This study revealed that P. major extract in a dose-dependent manner provides protection against renal damage induced by cisplatin.