Alpha-pinene alleviates CCl4-induced renal and testicular injury in rats by targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

Objective(s): Renal and testicular disorders are primarily associated with oxidative damage and inflammation. Here, alpha-pinene (a type of monoterpene) was investigated for its effect on oxidative/nitrosative stress and the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic factors in the kidneys and testes of rats treated with CCl4.Materials and Methods: CCl4 was injected intraperitoneally (IP) at a dose of 2 ml/kg (twice a week for six weeks). Alpha-pinene (50 mg/kg/day, IP) was also treated during the same period. Results: CCl4 increased the level of malondialdehyde (P 0.01 in the kidney and P 0.001 in the testis) and nitric oxide (P 0.001 in the kidney and P 0.01 in the testis) and decreased the levels of glutathione (P 0.05) in the kidneys and testicles of rats. CCl4 also reduced the catalase enzyme activity in the kidneys (P 0.05) but did not affect its activity in the testis. In addition, CCl4 enhanced the mRNA expression of TNF-α (P 0.01), nuclear factor-κB (P 0.05), and Bax (P 0.05 in the kidney and P 0.01 in the testis) and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 (P 0.05) in both organs. Alpha-pinene prevented all the mentioned changes, but it did not influence the expression of Bcl-2 in the kidneys of rats receiving CCl4. Conclusion: Alpha-pinene may have the potential to prevent renal and testicular diseases by strengthening the antioxidant system in the kidneys and testis, and inhibiting oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis caused by CCl4.