Evaluation of Protective Effects of Usnic Acid in Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, but has several side effects such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Usnic Acid on renal damage induced by Gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.

In this study, 27 male rats were randomly assigned into 3 equal groups: control group, Gentamycin with 50 mg/kg group and gentamycin with 50 mg / kg + Usnic Acid with 100mg / kg for 7 days. On the eighth day, all mice were anesthetized and blood samples were taken directly from the heart and kidney tissue was collected for oxidative stress testing.

Gentamicin increased plasma BUN and creatinine compared with the control group. Also, in the Gentamicin group, malondialdehyde (MDA) of liver was increased and the glutathione (GSH) was decreased. Treatment with Usnic Acid, caused a significant decrease in BUN and creatinine compared with the Gentamicin group and caused a significant increase in GSH compared with the Gentamicin group, but no significant difference was found for MDA.

Given the improvement in renal functional indicator and the reduction of oxidative stress in the Usnic Acid group, Usnic Acid has a protective effect against renal damage due to oxidative stress caused by Gentamicin.