Pimpinella anisum L. ethanolic extract ameliorates the gentamicin- induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Gentamicin (GM) is one of the commonest causes of drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Moreover, oxidative stress plays an important role in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. The current study aimed to explore the antioxidant and protective effects of Pimpinella anisum (P. anisum) on the alleviation of GM-induced damage.

Forty male wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, sham that was administrated normal saline orally and intraperitoneally (i.p.), GM that received 100 mg/kg bw/day i.p., GM and ethanolic extract of P. anisum that was administrated at an oral dose of 300 mg/kg bw/day for 8 days. Creatinine, Na⁺ , K⁺ and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured. The levels of ferric-reducing-antioxidant-power (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to evaluate the oxidative stress induced by GM. Kidney tissues were stained to determine the degree of tissue damage.

The plasma levels of creatinine, BUN, MDA and the absolute excretion of sodium and potassium were increased in the GM group, while FRAP level was reduced compared to the sham group. In addition, congestion of renal Vessels and tubular cell necrosis was observed. We found that 300 mg/kg bw/day P. anisum significantly reduced the plasma concentrations of renal function markers in the group receiving GM (P < 0.05). Additionally, gentamicin-induced tubule damage was improved by P. anisum.

We demonstrated the potential therapeutic impact of P. anisum to attenuate GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the simultaneous use of ethanolic extract of P. anisum during GM administration is recommended to reduce its nephrotoxicity effects.