Cisplatin, a potent and prominent chemotherapeutic drug, has considerable side effects, including nephrotoxicity, which limits its therapeutic application and efficacy. Therefore, the development of agents that protect normal cells while preserving cisplatin's chemotherapeutic properties is of utmost importance. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Bombyx batryticatus protein-rich extract (BBPE) against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in a cisplatin-treated mouse model and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. Apoptosis was assessed in HEK293 cells to determine the cytoprotective effects of BBPE and its effects on the generation of cisplatin-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) collapse. Although cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in HEK293 cells, pretreatment with BBPE showed significant protective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by regulating the expression levels of pro- and antiapoptotic proteins. The cytoprotective effects of BBPE were mediated by decreased ROS production and MTP loss in cisplatin-treated HEK293 cells. The in vitro results were confirmed in the cisplatin-treated mouse model. Pretreatment with BBPE protected against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by restoring malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels in kidney tissue and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine serum levels. Furthermore, histopathological assessment and terminal dUTP nick end-labeling staining showed that BBPE mitigated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in kidney tissues. Overall, BBPE may act as a potent agent for alleviating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, thereby increasing the safety of cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Keywords: antioxidant; cisplatin; edible insects; nephrotoxicity; protein; renal protection.