Floral extract of Tecoma stans: a potent inhibitor of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the nephroprotective activity of ethyl acetate extract of dried flowers of Tecoma stans for its protective effects on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.

METHODS

For studying acute toxicity study, single oral dose of 5,000 mg ethyl acetate floral extract/kg body weight was administered to albino rats (five females, five males). Nephrotoxicity was induced in albino rats by intraperitoneal administration of gentamicin 80 mg/kg/day for eight days. Effect of concurrent administration of ethyl acetate floral extract of Tecoma stans at a dose of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg/day given by oral route was determined using serum creatinine, serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and serum urea 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 was also evaluated.

RESULTS

For acute toxicity testing both female and male rats administered with the extract at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg. The results showed no toxicity in terms of general behavior change, mortality, or change in gross appearance of internal organs (LD(50) > 5 000 mg/kg). It was observed that the ethyl acetate floral extract of Tecoma stans significantly protected 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 groups receiving the ethyl acetate floral extract of Tecoma stans along with gentamicin in a dose dependent manner. The floral extract also reduced the gentamicin-induced increase in serum creatinine, serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and serum urea levels (P >0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicates a very important role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the relation to renal dysfunction and point to the therapeutic potential of Tecoma stans in gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.