Effect of Cranberry Fruit Extract (Vaccinium Macrocarpon) on Vegf Value in Wistar (Rattus Norvegicus) Mouse Pyelonephritis Model

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cranberry extract on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels and renal histopathological improvement in a rat model of pyelonephritis. Seven treatment groups were used, including a sham group, a negative control, a positive control (ciprofloxacin), and cranberry extract groups at doses of 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kgBW. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by an all-pairwise comparison. The results showed a significant difference in VEGF levels among the groups (p = 0.046), with notably higher VEGF expression in the 300 mg/kgBW and 400 mg/kgBW cranberry groups compared to the negative control. Histopathological analysis revealed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and improved tubular structure in the high-dose cranberry groups. These effects are associated with the bioactive compounds of cranberry, particularly proanthocyanidins and flavonoids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and angiogenic activities by enhancing VEGF expression. In conclusion, cranberry extract at doses of 300 mg/kgBW and 400 mg/kgBW demonstrates strong potential as a natural nephroprotective agent that accelerates renal tissue healing in pyelonephritis. These findings support the use of cranberry extract as an adjuvant therapy to complement conventional treatment for urinary tract infections