Methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica ameliorates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats

Abstract

This study investigated the possible protective effect of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Male Wista rrats (average weight= 184.05g) were divided into five (5) groups, with five (5) rats each receiving vehicle (normal saline, p.o), GEN (21.16 mg/kg Gentamicin,i.p), AZI (200 mg/kg methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica, MEAI, p.o), GEN+AZI (Gentamicin with 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of AZI), 5 minutes after administration of Gentamicin for 7 days. Serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium and MDA levels were assayed using standard procedures. Renal histopathological study was also conducted. All data were expressed as means ± SEM and significance were accepted at p<0.05. 
Gentamicin caused impaired renal function with increased serum urea, creatinine and MDA, decreased sodium, potassium, total protein and albumin levels. Histopathology revealed altered renal histoarchitecture. However, treatment with MEAI especially the 400 mg/kg dose, improved renal function, restored total protein and decreased MDA in Gentamicin-induced Nephrotoxicity.
Taken together, MEAI shows capacity to improve renal function and histology by attenuating lipid peroxidation in Nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin.