Ethanolic Extract of Garlic for Attenuation of Gentamicin-induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Nephrotoxicity is a serious side effect of gentamicin and is believed to be related to reactive oxygen species in the kidney. This study was aimed to find out whether garlic preparation (Allium sativum L) has ameliorative effects on gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 as follows: group 1, sham group (control); group 2 (positive control group), gentamicin for 10 days; group 3, garlic and gentamicin for 10 days; group 4, gentamicin for 10 days followed by garlic for 10 days; and group 5, gentamicin for 10 days followed by saline solution for 10 days. Gentamicin, 10 mg/kg, and garlic extract, 20 mg/kg, were administered intraperitoneally. Serum creatinine and concentrations were measured and the kidneys were processed for histopathological examinations. All specimens were examined for morphologic parameters involving tubular cells. Serum creatinine and BUN levels were significantly high in the gentamicin group (group 2) after the experiment. However, the levels of these parameters in group 3 (co-treatment with gentamicin and garlic) were significantly lower than those in group 2 (P <. 05). These parameters were also lower in group 4 (consecutive treatment with gentamicin and garlic), when compared with group 5 (gentamicin and saline). The pathology damage score was high for the gentamicin group. Postadministration of garlic after gentamicin treatment (group 4) or co-administration of garlic and gentamicin (group 3) significantly attenuated the damage score. Garlic has regenerative potential after tubular injury induced by gentamicin in animal models.