A Review on the Nephroprotective Role Flavonoid-Rich Substances in Doxorubicin-Treated Animal Models

Cancer continues to pose a significant global health challenge, affecting nearly one in five individuals throughout their lifetime. While chemotherapeutic agents like doxorubicin play a crucial role in cancer treatment, their use is frequently accompanied by serious side effects, particularly nephrotoxicity. This review critically examines the renoprotective effects of flavonoids in counteracting doxorubicin-induced kidney damage, with a focus on evidence from preclinical animal models. Doxorubicin mediates its cytotoxic effects by intercalating into DNA and inducing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which lead to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and subsequent renal injury. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, pubmed, Springer, Wiley Online Library, and sciencedirect, targeting articles published between 2014 and 2024. Keywords used included “flavonoids,” “doxorubicin,” “nephrotoxicity,” “Renoprotective,” and “animal model.” Flavonoids, a broad class of plant-derived polyphenols, are well recognized for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Certain flavonoids, similar to quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, morin, luteolin, apigenin, hesperidin, naringenin, diosmin, and anthocyanins, have shown significant effectiveness in reducing kidney damage caused by doxorubicin. This review highlights the promising role of flavonoids as potential adjuvants in reducing chemotherapy-associated renal side effects and enhancing the safety profile of anticancer regimens.