Background: Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibacterial agent, is nephrotoxic as it can cause tubular necrosis if not properly monitored and its toxicity remains a major problem in clinical use. The drug is often used for inducing nephrotoxicity in experimental animal models. The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Piper betle against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.
Methods: A total of 25 albino rats were divided into five groups of five each. Group I (Normal control) received 0.1 ml normal saline intramuscularly (day 1–5) and 2% gum acacia orally (day 1–12). Group II (Toxic control), Group III (Standard control), Group IV (Test I), Group V (Test II) received injection gentamicin 80 mg/kg intramuscularly (day 1– 5). Group III (Standard control) received N-acetylcysteine 40 mg/kg orally (day 1–12). Group IV and Group V received aqueous extract of Piper betle 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively per orally (day 1-12). Serum urea, creatinine and total protein levels were estimated and histopathology of renal tissues were compared among the groups.
Results: The renal biomarkers (serum urea, creatinine, total protein) significantly improved in Piper betle treated groups. The histopathological study also supported the findings.
Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Piper betle revealed protective effect against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity
