Diosmin prophylaxis reduces gentamicin-induced kidney damage in rats

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Nephrology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is crucial for severe bacterial infections but causes significant nephrotoxicity.
• Nephrotoxicity limits gentamicin's clinical utility, necessitating strategies to mitigate kidney damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of diosmin, a natural flavonoid, against gentamicin-induced kidney injury in a rat model.
• To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of diosmin in mitigating gentamicin nephrotoxicity.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, gentamicin, gentamicin plus diosmin, and diosmin alone.
• Animals received daily intraperitoneal gentamicin (100 mg/kg) for one week, with or without oral diosmin (50 mg/kg) for two weeks.
• Kidney function and oxidative stress markers (creatinine, BUN, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) were assessed biochemically and histologically.

Main Results:

• Gentamicin treatment significantly increased kidney injury markers (creatinine, BUN), oxidative stress (nitric oxide, malondialdehyde), and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β), while decreasing antioxidant levels (glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase).
• Co-administration of diosmin significantly reduced creatinine, BUN, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels.
• Diosmin treatment also significantly increased glutathione levels and the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase in gentamicin-treated rats.

Conclusions:

• Diosmin exhibits significant ameliorative effects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
• The protective mechanisms of diosmin involve potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
• Diosmin represents a promising natural compound for preventing or treating drug-induced kidney injury.