Büşra ÇİTİL DEMİRCİ, Işıl YAĞMUR, Ergul BELGE KURUTAS
Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences - 2026;10(2):174-180
Purpose: Bladder ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury leads to tissue damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular dysfunction. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) has shown protective effects on various tissues thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on bladder I/R injury have not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and histopathological protective effects of cardamom extract on bladder I/R injury. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino rats were allocated into three groups: I/R, sham and cardamom treatment group. The I/R group underwent 30 minutes of ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion. The cardamom group received 50 mg/kg of cardamom extract via gavage 24 hours before the I/R process. Bladder tissues were collected for biochemical analysis of oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, CAT) and histopathological examination. Results: In the cardamom treatment group, MDA levels were significantly lower, and SOD and CAT enzyme activities were significantly higher compared to the I/R group (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed prominent inflammation, edema, and disruption of epithelial integrity in the I/R group, while the cardamom group exhibited notably reduced tissue damage and better-preserved epithelial integrity. Conclusion: Cardamom extract exhibited a protective role in bladder I/R injury by alleviating oxidative stress and inhibiting inflammatory responses. Further clinical studies are needed to better understand the bladder-protective effects of cardamom.
