Protective effect of a Standardized Unani Formulation on Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity

The study was carried out to standardize a Unani formulation named Jawarish Safra Shikan and its nephroprotective effect on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Healthy, adult, male Wistar rats each weighing 150–200g were used for this study. To induce nephrotoxicity, gentamicin was administered in a dose of 100mg/kg/day i.p. for eight days. Suspended formulation (200mg/Kg/day) and Zingiber officinale 200mg/kg/day were given by oral route. Effects were assessed by measuring serum creatinine, serum uric acid and serum urea as indicators of kidney damage. The study groups contained six rats in each group. It was observed that the formulation and Zingiber officinale significantly protect rat kidneys from gentamicin-induced histopathological changes. Gentamicin-induced epithelial desquamation, accumulation of inflammatory cells and necrosis of the kidney cells were found to be reduced in the groups receiving the formulation and Zingiber officinale along with gentamicin. A significant reduction was also noticed in the gentamicin-induced increase in serum creatinine, serum uric acid and serum urea levels. The formulation and Zingiber officinale both were found to possess significant nephroprotective activity.