Protective effect of Kalanchoe pinnata pers. (Crassulaceae) on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the aqueous extract of K. pinnata for its protective effects on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Nephrotoxicity was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of gentamicin 100 mg/kg/day for eight days. Effect of concurrent administration of K. pinnata leaf extract at a dose of 125 mg/kg/day given by intraperitoneal route was determined using serum and urinary creatinine and blood urea nitrogen as indicators of kidney damage. The study groups contained six rats in each group. As nephrotoxicity of gentamicin is known to involve induction of oxidative stress, in vitro antioxidant activity and free radical-scavenging activity of this extract were evaluated. Result: It was observed that the aqueous extract of K. pinnata leaves significantly protects rat kidneys from gentamicin-induced histopathological changes. Gentamicin -induced glomerular congestion, peritubular and blood vessel congestion, epithelial desquamation, accumulation of inflammatory cells and necrosis of the kidney cells were found to be reduced in the group receiving the leaf extract of K. pinnata along with gentamicin. This extract also normalized the gentamicin-induced increases in urine and plasma creatinine, blood urea and blood urea nitrogen levels. In vitro studies revealed that the K. pinnata leaf extract possesses significant antioxidant as well as oxidative radical scavenging activities. Conclusion: It, is proposed that the nephroprotective effect of the aqueous extract of K. pinnata leaves in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity may involve its antioxidant and oxidative radical scavenging activities.