Protective effect ofBasella albaL. on nephrotoxicity induced by gentamycin in rats

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of an ethanolic extract of Basella alba L. on gentamycin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. In the toxic group, rats were administered GM only (100 mg/kg, i.p.) for 8 days. In drug treated groups, rats were pretreated with B. alba (250 and 500 mg/kg per day orally) for 14 days and co-treated with GM for 8 days. After 24 h of the last dose, blood, urine, and tissue samples were collected from the animals. GM when administered induced a marked renal failure, characterized by a significant increase in serum and urine creatinine, urea, uric acid, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and protein levels. Besides, there were elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and decrease in the concentration of total proteins (TPs) and free -SH in kidney tissue, which are indicators of oxidative stress of kidney. The extract also significantly reduced the GM-induced elevated serum and urine levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, protein, creatinine, urea, uric acid, and GGT. The tissue MDA level was also significantly diminished; the decreased free -SH and TP levels were significantly replenished by an ethanolic extract of B. alba treatment. The experimental results suggest that B. alba extract protected GM-induced nephrotoxicity, possibly by enhancing renal antioxidant system. The findings suggest the potential therapeutic use of B. alba as a novel nephroprotective agent.