Biflavonoid quercetin protects against cyclophosphamide induced organ toxicities via modulation of inflammatory cytokines, brain neurotransmitters, and astrocyte immunoreactivity

Quercetin's antioxidative properties make it of potential benefit in many clinical conditions where oxidative stress is implicated in the pathological processes. To investigate the possible protective effects of quercetin on neurobehaviour, brain oxidative status, markers of inflammation, neurotransmitter balance and astrocyte immunoreactivity in healthy rats administered cyclophosphamide. Sixty rats were randomly assigned into six groups. Groups A and D served as normal and cyclophosphamide control respectively and were fed standard rat chow, groups B and E were fed quercetin supplemented diet (100 mg/kg of feed), while those in groups C and F were fed quercetin supplemented diet at 200 mg/kg of feed. Animals in group A to C also received intraperitoneal normal saline on days 1 and 2, while those in groups D-F got intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg/day on days 1 and 2). Standard diet and quercetin supplemented diet were administered daily for 21 days. At the end of the experimental period, behavioural tests were carried out, following which animals were sacrificed and blood taken for the assessment of biochemical parameters. Organs were either homogenised or processed for histological study. Quercetin mitigated CYP induced weight loss and reduction in food consumption. It also improved total antioxidant capacity while reducing CYP induced lipid peroxidation and biochemical markers of impaired liver function. A reduction in CYP induced increase in urea and creatinine was also observed. Interleukin 10 increased, while the CYP induced increase in interleukin 1 beta and TNF alpha were also mitigated following quercetin administration. Open field exploratory activities and grooming increased with CYP and the lowest dose of quercetin. The anxiolytic effects of quercetin was demonstrable in the elevated plus maze; while its memory-enhancing effects were seen in the Y-maze and radial-arm maze. Finally, quercetin improved acetylcholine dopamine levels and brain-derived neurotropic factor, while reducing serotonin levels and astrocyte immunoreactivity. The results show quercetin s ability to protect against CYP induced changes in rats. They also highlight the possible use of quercetin as a possible adjunct in cancer chemotherapy induced tissue damage. However, further research will be needed to delineate its exact role in cancer chemotherapy.