Indian Journal of Animal Research
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2026
  • Volume: 60
  • Issue: 4

Role of Quercetin against the Effect of Piroxicam on the Liver and Kidney in Pregnant Rats

  • Author:
  • Fawziah Alshabanat1*, Promy Virk1, Dalia Fouad1*
  • Total Page Count: 9
  • Page Number: 635 to 643

1Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 22452, Riyadh11495, Saudi Arabia.

*Corresponding Author: Fawziah Alshabanat, Dalia Fouad, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 22452, Riyadh11495, Saudi Arabia. Email: fawziahsaud1122@gmail.com; dibrahim@ksu.edu.sa

Abstract

Piroxicam (PX) is an NSAID linked to hepato-renal toxicity. This study evaluated quercetin’s (QUE) protective role against PX-induced damage in pregnant rats.

Pregnant rats (n=40) were divided into four groups (13 days): Control, QUE (75 mg/kg), PX (7 mg/kg i.p.) and QUE+PX. Hepato-renal toxicity was assessed via hematological, biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical (caspase-3, TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress markers and DNA fragmentation.

PX caused hematological disturbances, elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and kidney markers (creatinine, urea), decreased albumin and tissue damage. Increased MDA and decreased GSH/SOD indicated oxidative stress. Elevated caspase-3, TNF-α and DNA fragmentation confirmed apoptosis. QUE supplementation significantly reversed these alterations. Quercetin effectively ameliorated PX-induced hepato-renal toxicity through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Keywords

Anti-oxidant properties, Dna damage, Hepato-renal toxicity, NSAIDS, Oxidative stress, Piroxicam, Pregnant rats, Quercetin