Ginger or Zingiber officinale which is used in traditional medicine has been found to possess antioxidanteffect that can control the generation of free radicals. Free radicals are the causes of renal cell degener-ation that leads to renal failure in case of gentamicin induced toxicity. This study was done to evaluatethe possible protective effects of 6-gingerol as natural antioxidant on gentamicin-induced renal corticaloxidative stress and apoptosis in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were used in thisstudy and were randomly divided into four groups, control group; 6-gingerol treated group; gentamicintreated group and protected group (given simultaneous 6-gingerol and gentamicin). At the end of thestudy, blood samples were drawn for biochemical study. Kidney sections were processed for histological,and immunohistochemical examination for caspase-3 to detect apoptosis and anti heat shock protein47 (HSP47) to detect oxidative damage. Gentamicin treated rats revealed a highly significant increase inrenal function tests, tubular dilatation with marked vacuolar degeneration and desquamation of cells,interstitial hemorrhage and cellular infiltration. Immunohistochemically, gentamicin treated rats showeda strong positive immunoreaction for caspase-3 and anti heat shock protein 47 (HSP47). Protected ratsshowed more or less normal biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical pictures. In conclusion,co-administration of 6-gingerol during gentamicin ‘therapy’ has a significant reno-protective effect in arat model of gentamicin-induced renal damage. It is recommended that administration of ginger withgentamicin might be beneficial in men who receive gentamicin to treat infections. |
