Evaluation of the protective effect of aqueous extract offenugreek against cisplatin-induced toxicity in Vero cells

BackgroundCisplatin is a widely used anticancer drug that may induce serious toxicity in normaltissues including the kidneys. In recent times, there has been a surge in the popularityof herbal/traditional medicine. Vero cells, derived from kidney cells of green monkeys,have been used to study cell growth, differentiation, and cytotoxicity induced bydifferent agents or conditions.Aim of workThis study aimed at elucidating the protective effect of the aqueous extract offenugreek on cisplatin-induced toxicity in the Vero cell line.Materials and methodsCultured Vero cells were divided into four groups. In group I untreated Vero cellswere taken as controls; in group II Vero cells were incubated with 25 μg /mlcisplatin; in group III the cells were incubated with an aqueous extract of fenugreek(20 μg/ml) and in group IV both cisplatin and fenugreek were added simultaneouslyto Vero cells. The cultured cells of all groups were incubated for 24 and 48 h.Morphological, morphometric, and cytotoxic studies were conducted.ResultsOn Coomassie staining, cells of group II were seen to be enlarged with theappearance of cytoplasmic vacuoles. A highly significant increase in their nuclearand cytoplasmic areas was observed after 48 h. Compared with group I, the cellsfrom group III revealed a highly significant decrease in nuclear area after 24 h withno significant difference after 48 h. Compared with group II, the cells from group IVshowed a decrease in cytoplasmic vacuolization and a highly significant decreasein the nuclear and cytoplasmic areas after 48 h. The mean absorbance using thesulforhodamine B assay was decreased in group II but increased in groups III and IVin a time-dependent manner.ConclusionFenugreek alone did not enhance cell viability; yet, the combined therapy decreasedthe toxic effects of cisplatin on Vero cells. Hence, fenugreek might representan advisable adjuvant therapy for the protection of tissues sensitive to cisplatintoxicity. Further studies on the effects of fenugreek on the cellular structure are alsorecommended.