Extract of Prunus persica flesh (PPFE) improves chemotherapeutic efficacy and protects against nephrotoxicity in cisplatin-treated mice

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of a variety of human solid tumors. However, its clinical use is rather limited as a result of severe nephrotoxicity. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Prunus persica flesh extract (PPFE) against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in animal models, and whether its use influences the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin. The administration of PPFE alone significantly inhibited the growth of CT-26 colon carcinoma xenografted onto mice without adverse effects. The combination of PPFE and cisplatin enhanced the inhibitory effect of cisplatin against tumor growth. In a xenograft model involving the repeated administration of low-dose cisplatin for 15 days, and in an acute toxicity model involving a single administration of high-dose cisplatin over a 16 h period, the administration of PPFE in combination with and prior to the cisplatin injection reversed the cisplatin-induced reduction in the kidney weight. PPFE blocked the increases in the serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels associated with the kidney damage. Moreover, the administration of PPFE induced a significant reduction in cisplatin-induced oxidative stress. These results indicate that PPFE may promote the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin therapy, while attenuating its inherent nephrotoxicity.