Beneficial effects of Naringin against lopinavir/ ritonavir-induced hyperlipidemia and reproductive toxicity in male albino rats

V. Krishnaraju, Y. Alghazwani, S. Durgaramani, Y.I. Asiri, K. Prabahar, K. Kalpana, V. Rajalakshimi, A.K. Noohu, P. Premalatha, S.A. Sirajudeen, V. Kumar, V. Vinoth Prabhu

Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Asir, Saudi Arabia. kvenkatesan@kku.edu.sa

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: This research work was planned to determine whether Naringin (NG) had any protective effects against lopinavir/ritonavir (LR)-induced alterations in blood lipid levels, hepatotoxicity, and testicular toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of six rats each were used for the study: Control (1% ethanol), naringin (80 mg/kg), lopinavir (80 mg/kg)/ritonavir (20 mg/kg), and lopinavir (80 mg/kg)/ritonavir (20 mg/kg) + naringin (80 mg/kg). The drug treatment was continued for 30 days. On the last day, the serum lipid fractions, liver biochemical parameters, testicular antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), and the histopathology of the liver and testis tissue were assessed for all rats.

RESULTS: Treatment with NG decreased significantly (p<0.05), the baseline serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). But these parameters were significantly (p<0.05) increased in LR-treated animals. Naringin, co-administered with LR, restored the liver and testicular biochemical, morphological, and histological balance.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that NG can be used as a treatment for LR-induced biochemical and histological changes in the liver and testes and changes in serum lipid levels.

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