Pycnogenol protected against cisplatin ototoxicity. - GreenMedInfo Summary

CONTEXT: Pycnogenol(®), which is French maritime pine bark extract, is a potent antioxidant. It is used in medical conditions caused by oxidative stress. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II) is an antineoplastic agent. However, its serious side effects such as ototoxicity limit its usage.

OBJECTIVE: Antioxidants can be used to prevent ototoxicity. We investigated the effect of Pycnogenol(®) on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to four groups of five. Distortion product-evoked otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) test was performed for each rat. The experimental groups were as follows: Control Group, Pycnogenol(®) Group: 10 mg/kg Pycnogenol(®) intraperitoneally for 7 days, Cisplatin Group: intraperitoneally 15 mg/kg single injection of cisplatin on the fifth day, Cisplatin + Pycnogenol(®) Group: intraperitoneally 10 mg/kg Pycnogenol(®) treatment for 7 days, additionally on the fifth day, 15 mg/kg single injection of cisplatin was given. On the eighth day, DPOAE was re-performed and rats were sacrificed. Apoptosis was evaluated histopathologically.

RESULTS: Mean percentage of apoptotic cells was 1.5, 3, 30 and 11% in organ of Corti and 2, 2, 40, 15% in spiral ganglion neurons in Control Group, Pycnogenol(®) Group, Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin + Pycnogenol(®) Group, respectively. Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin + Pycnogenol(®) Group were significantly different when compared to Control Group histopathologically both in organ of Corti and spiral ganglion neuron (p <0.001, p = 0.019, p = 0.001, p = 0.015). DPOAE results showed that Cisplatin + Pycnogenol(®) Group was significantly different when compared to Cisplatin Group at 3, 6 and 8 kHz (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Pycnogenol protected against cisplatin ototoxicity. Also, pycnogenol is not ototoxic.