Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent nephrotoxin commonly found in foods and feeds, with the kidney as its primary target organ. Apigenin (APG), a plant-derived flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may counteract OTA-induced renal damage. This study evaluated the preventive and post-exposure recovery effects of APG against OTA-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five groups (n = 12): control; APG (20 mg/kg bw/day); OTA-contaminated diet (10 mg OTA/kg diet); APG + OTA preventive group; and OTA + APG post-exposure recovery group. Serum kidney function biomarkers, electrolytes, inflammatory and apoptotic markers, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. OTA induced nephrotoxicity, evidenced by elevated serum electrolytes, kidney function biomarkers, inflammatory and apoptotic markers, increased MDA and NO, decreased GSH and SOD activity, and renal tubular injury. APG treatment in both preventive and post-exposure recovery groups significantly reduced electrolytes, kidney injury, inflammatory and apoptotic markers, MDA, and NO, while increasing GSH and SOD activity compared with the OTA group; renal tubular lesions were also less apparent. In conclusion, APG attenuated OTA-induced nephrotoxicity, improving renal biomarkers, oxidative/nitrosative stress indices, inflammatory and apoptosis-related biomarkers, and renal histopathology. The preventive regimen showed greater overall improvement than post-exposure recovery; however, interpretation of the latter is limited by the absence of an OTA-recovery control group.
