Nephro-protective effect of vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil on gentamicin associated nephrotoxicity in rabbits

ABSTRACT

Oxidative stress causes the generation of reactive oxygen species [ROS] that lead to nephrotoxicity. An aminoglycoside, gentamicin, has pronounced nephrotoxic effect in humans and animals and this study was planned to observe the nephro-protective effect of antioxidants, vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and antioxidant activity were measured as indicators of nephrotoxicity for all the groups of rabbits. Results showed that vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil both had nephro-protective effect as they lowered the values of nephrotoxicity indicators [serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and antioxidant activity] as compared to gentamicin control group values. When these two antioxidants were given as combination, they proved to have synergistic nephroprotective effect