Effectiveness of setarud (IMOD™) in attenuating gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats

Background Gentamicin (GEN) can have serious adverse effects including nephrotoxicity. Setarud (IMOD (TM)) is a new herbal drug with beneficial immune effects, obtained by mixing Tanacetum vulgare (tansy), Rosa canina and Urtica dioica (nettle) extracts as well as selenium, flavonoids and carotenes. This novel study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Setarud (IMOD (TM)) in attenuating GEN-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats. Twenty-eight adult male Sprague Dawley rats (weighing 180-200 g) were randomly divided into four groups (7 rats in each group): Control, IMOD treated (20 mg/kg body weight), GEN treated (100 mg/kg body weight), and GEN + IMOD co-treated. Injections were done intraperitoneally for 12 days. Serum urea, creatinine (Cr), Cr clearance, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) level, and activities of antioxidant enzymes Peroxidase (POD), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured by the colorimetric method. Volume density of proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), tubular necrosis, tubular cast formation, and leukocytic infiltration were evaluated histopathologically. Results In the GEN group, there were significantly higher serum urea, Cr, and MDA levels with lower Cr clearance, GSH levels, POD, GPx and CAT activities, and PCT volume density with presence of tubular necrosis compared to the control and IMOD groups (P < 0.05). Treatment with IMOD significantly reduced the levels of urea, Cr and MDA, and increased Cr clearance and the activities of POD and CAT enzymes (P < 0.05). No significant differences in the activity of GSH and GPx were reported in the GEN + IMOD co-treated group compared to the GEN group. Moreover, IMOD significantly ameliorated PCT volume density and renal lesions caused by GEN. Conclusion IMOD (20 mg/kg body weight) can attenuate GEN-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by inhibition of oxidative stress or increasing the normal activity of antioxidant enzymes. Further studies are recommended on the effects of different doses of IMOD.