Fagonia olivieri prevented hepatorenal injuries induced with gentamicin in rat

Gentamicin is used clinically against Gram negative bacteria because of its efficacy. However, it causes renal injuries and failure at clinical dosages on account of induced oxidative stress. Fagonia olivieri is used in kidneys, liver, alimentary canal and cardiovascular disorders in local system of medicine in Pakistan. This study evaluates the protective abilities of methanol extract of F. olivieri (FOM) against the liver and renal injuries induced with gentamicin in rat. Sprague-Dawley male rats were treated with gentamicin (80mg/kg) alone or with silymarin (50mg/kg) as standard antioxidant drug. The other groups of rats were treated with gentamicin along with FOM (200mg/kg, 400mg/kg) or FOM (400mg/kg) alone. Effect of FOM was investigated on body weight, urine and serum biochemical markers, enzymatic antioxidants of renal and liver along with histopathological alterations. FOM was investigated by GC-MS for the presence of bioactive constituents. Treatment of FOM to rats ameliorated the gentamicin induced toxicity and increased the percent increase in body weight while decreased the absolute and relative weight of hepatic and kidneys. Gentamicin increased the level of specific gravity, count of RBCs and WBCs, and urobilinogen in urine; and AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL in serum. Level of lipid peroxides in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and DNA damages increased while the GSH contents and activity level of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px and GR decreased with gentamicin in liver and kidney samples. Co-treatment of FOM, dose dependently, alleviated the injuries induced with gentamicin. Histopathological studies of liver and kidneys supported the protective abilities of FOM. GC-MS analysis indicated the presence of various compounds including hexadecanoic acid, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, benzoic acid and thalicpureine in the FOM. Results of the present investigation suggested the protective potential of FOM against the oxidative injuries of gentamicin that could be attributed by phytochemicals having antioxidant and free radical scavenging abilities.