Doppalapudi Prasanthi

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract of seeds of Citrullus lanatus for its protective effect on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The eight study groups contained six rats in each group. Nephrotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats by subcutaneous administration of gentamicin 80 mg/kg.bd. wt. for nine days. Based on acute toxicity studies, doses of extract selected were 200 and 400mg/kg bd.wt. and administered orally for ten days. Effect of hydroalcoholic extract on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity was determined using blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum total protein levels and urinary total proteins and urinary creatinine as indicators of kidney damage. Anti-oxidant studies were carried out and histological studies were also conducted in kidney tissue. Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity which was indicated by increased levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum total proteins, urinary total proteins and urinary creatinine levels. Extract alleviated the gentamicin-induced effects on serum markers and urinary functional parameters. Dose dependent decrease in LPO levels and increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione also supported the nephroprotector activity of extract. In histopathological studies gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity was indicated by degenerative changes in kidney tissues, congestion with hemorrhages where as marked regenerative changes were observed in kidney sections of animals which received higher dose of the extract. Present study reveals that the hydroalcoholic extract of seeds of Citrullus lanatus attenuated the nephrotoxicity induced by Gentamicin in rats.