Carboplatin and thalidomide induced neuro-hepatotoxicity in rats: Diminish effect of Citrullus colocynthis

Carboplatin and thalidomide are good candidate’s treatments against many types of cancer. Latest studies
demonstrated that these chemotherapeutic drug cause oxidative damage. So, the present study was conducted to
estimate the neurotoxic and hepatotoxic effects induced by carboplatin/thalidomide regimen and to explore the
potential protective effect of Citrillus colocynthis extract (CCE) in rats. The obtained results showed that
carboplatin/thalidomide induced histological changes, caused significant elevation in serum liver enzymes, decline
in brain and plasma neurotransmitters, and increase in acetylcholine esterase. At the molecular level,
carboplatin/thalidomide caused marked elevation in inflammatory and apoptotic markers and suppressed the
expression of proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 and mitochondrial transcription factor a in brain
and liver tissues. Also, the regemin declined the GSH system and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2
(NRF2), and induced oxidative stress as indicated by elevated tissues level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. The co-supplemnation with CCE minimized thalidomide/carboplatin-induced
abnormalities in brain and liver tissues. As a result, the current findings revealed that CCE may have a protective
effect against carboplatin/thalidomide-induced toxicity.