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

Background: 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. Methods: 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. Result: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]