Impact of naringenin on oxytetracycline-mediated oxidative damage in kidney of rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of naringenin on oxytetracycline-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Oxytetracycline (200 mg/kg body weight, ip) was administered in 0.5 ml of sterile physiological saline for 15 days, resulting in a significant increase in serum urea and creatinine and reduction in creatinine clearance. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation markers (TBARS and lipid hydroperoxide) and decrease in antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and low molecular weight antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and reduced glutathione) levels were also observed in oxytetracycline-treated rats. The oral administration of naringenin (50 mg/kg body weight) attenuated the oxytetracycline-induced nephrotoxicity by significantly decreased levels of serum urea and creatinine with the significant normalization of creatinine clearance. Upon the administration of naringenin, the depleted renal antioxidant defense system (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants) was significantly increased in rats treated with oxytetracycline. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of kidney section. The present results suggest that the supplementation of naringenin might be helpful to alleviate the oxytetracycline-induced oxidative injury in kidney.