ABSTRACT
Background: Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity is a major contributor to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) resulting from free radicals induced oxidative stress. Tinospora cordifolia is an Indian medicinal plant, widely used because of its antioxidant activity. Due to limited scientific literature exploring its nephroprotective potential, the present study was designed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.Methods: The study was commenced following approval from Institutional Animal Ethical Committee of L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut (UP). Twenty four rats were randomised into four groups of six animals each. Total duration of study was 21 days. Group I received normal saline p.o., group II received normal saline along with gentamicin on last 5 days, group III and IV received Tinospora cordifolia in graded doses p.o. along with gentamicin on last 5 days. Injection gentamicin (40mg/kg) i.p. was given once daily for last 5 days to induce nephrotoxicity in rats of groups II, III and IV. The rats were sacrificed under anaesthesia, blood samples analysed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels and histopathological changes were studied. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA followed by post hoc test.Results: Tinospora cordifolia pre-treated groups exhibited significant (p<0.001) limitation in rise in levels of BUN and serum creatinine in a dose dependent manner. Histolopathological observations further corroborated the biochemical findings.Conclusions: The present study concluded that aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia possesses nephroprotective potential against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.