The comparison of the effect of Origanum vulgare L. extract and vitamin C on the gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Abstract

The gentamicin renal toxicity has been the focal point for much discussion. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of Origanum vulgare L. extract and vitamin C on gentamicin dose-dependent toxicity in rats’ kidney. The present study was conducted on 60 male Wistar rats divided into ten experimental groups: control (untreated), G1, G2, G3 (100, 200, 300 mg/kg gentamicin), M1, M2 and M3 (500 mg/kg marjoram extract) + 100, 200 and 300 gentamicin, V1, V2 and V3 (Vitamin C 500 mg/kg) + 100, 200 and 300 of gentamicin. On the last day, the serum was separated from heart blood and the kidney tissues were extracted to measure the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters and histological changes. Kidney damage was confirmed as dose-dependent gentamicin by biochemical and pathological parameters. Urea, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine showed a significant increase in the G3 group compared to the control, M1, and V1 groups (p < 0.01). Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a significant reduction in renal tissue in the G3 group compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the kidney tissue of the G3 group also showed a significant increase compared to other groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, TNFα and IL-1 levels were the highest in the G3 group, and serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentration had the lowest amount compared to other groups. Moreover, histopathological lesions of the kidney showed significant statistical differences among the groups that received gentamicin with the control and M1 group. Marjoram extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg had a desirable effect on controlling gentamicin damage in the kidneys compared with vitamin C. In particular, controlling gentamicin-induced oxidative stress and inflammation by the consumption of marjoram extract and vitamin C plays an important role in protecting the kidneys.

Keywords:

• Gentamicin
• vitamin C
• drug toxicity
• stress oxidative
• marjoram extract

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Pejman Mortazavi, supervisor of pathologists, for his efforts. Also, we would like to sincerely appreciate the Research Vice-Chancellor at the Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, for his collaboration to facilitate research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).