Zizyphus Jujuba Protects Against Ibuprofen-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

The study from 2013 examined the potential protective effects of Zizyphus jujuba fruit aqueous extract (ZE) on ibuprofen-induced kidney damage in rats. The experiment included a control group, a ZE-treated group, an ibuprofen (IBP)-treated group, and a group treated with both ZE and IBP. Results showed that IBP treatment alone significantly increased serum urea and creatinine levels and caused histological kidney damage. However, co-treatment with ZE and IBP significantly reduced these levels and kidney damage severity. Additionally, while IBP alone increased the activity of certain antioxidant enzymes, the combination with ZE further enhanced these levels. Despite the increase in antioxidant enzymes, this was not solely indicative of the protective effect, as IBP itself elevated these enzymes. The study concluded that Zizyphus jujuba extract could mitigate IBP-induced nephrotoxicity, suggesting that long-term ibuprofen use might be safer with Z. jujuba supplementation. The exact components of Z. jujuba responsible for this protective effect were not identified, and further research was recommended. The number of rats used in the study was not mentioned in the summary.