Evaluation of the effect of Boerhavia diffusa on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Ayurvedic literature claims that Boerhavia diffusa possesses rejuvenative properties especially related to the urinary system.

To evaluate effect of aqueous extract of root of Boerhavia diffusa in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Study was conducted in two parts, using 40 rats in each part. Rats were equally divided into five groups for each part. Group 1: Normal control, Group 2: Disease control and Groups 3, 4, and 5: α-lipoic acid (ALA) and 200 and 400 mg/kg of B. diffusa, respectively. All groups, except Group 1, concomitantly received gentamicin 150 mg/kg/day for 10 days. Parameters measured in part I were blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels, kidney injury on histopathology; in part II, paraaminohippurate (PAH) clearance.

Mean ± SD of body weight, creatinine, BUN, MDA, GSH and PAH clearance were compared using parametric tests. Median histopathology scores were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. 'P' value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

High dose of gentamicin caused significant elevation in BUN, serum creatinine and kidney MDA, fall in kidney GSH and histopathological damage in disease control group as compared with normal control (P < 0.05). Treatment with B. diffusa prevented changes in above parameters, comparable to ALA. Effects of both doses of B. diffusa were significantly better than disease control (P < 0.05).B. diffusa did not show significant improvement in PAH clearance, which was reduced due to gentamicin damage.

B. diffusa exerted protection against structural and functional damage induced by gentamicin possibly due to its antioxidant properties.