Comparison of the renoprotective effects of pure lycopene and watermelon juice containing the same amount of lycopene in a nephrotoxicity model induced by cisplatin

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lycopene and watermelon juice on renal function parameters, serum electrolyte levels, the oxidative stress, and biochemical and histopathological markers reflecting kidney damage in an experimental nephrotoxicity model induced by cisplatin. Materials and Methods: The rats were divided into four groups: control, cisplatin, cisplatin+lycopene, and cisplatin+watermelon juice. A single dose of 7 mg/kg cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally, while 4 mg/kg lycopene and a 4 mg/kg lycopene equivalent obtained by HPLC-determined watermelon juice were administered orally for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, BUN, Cr, and electrolyte levels were measured in serum samples, and MDA, GSH, SOD, and CAT levels were measured in kidney tissues. In addition, glomerular damage, tubular degeneration, necrosis/apoptosis, lumen obstruction, interstitial inflammation, and tubular basement membrane thickness were evaluated histopathologically. Results: In the group treated with cisplatin, deterioration in biochemical parameters, electrolyte imbalance, and increased oxidative stress were observed (p<0,05). Watermelon juice caused a significant decrease in BUN and Cr levels, partially corrected electrolyte balance, and produced a significant improvement in oxidative stress markers (p<0,05). In histopathological examination, while glomerular damage, tubular necrosis, and lumen obstruction were prominent in the cisplatin group, partial improvement was observed, particularly in tubular lumen obstruction and interstitial inflammation, in the watermelon juice and lycopene-treated groups; the most pronounced histological improvement in the lycopene group was a reduction in lumen obstruction. Conclusion: The antioxidant components of watermelon juice reduce cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity at both the biochemical and histopathological levels. These findings suggest that watermelon juice may play a supportive role in preventing nephrotoxicity or reducing its severity by protecting kidney function. Keywords: Watermelon Juice, Lycopene, Nephrotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, Cisplatin.