Aminoglycosides Induced Nephrotoxicity and its Protection by Nigella Sativa

Backgound: The major obstacle limiting the use of aminoglycoside, antibiotics has been and continues to be the possibility of drug induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Study dsign: Changes in biochemical parameters related to nephropathy before and after of nigella sativa were observed. Material and methods: Ten rabbits were included in the study, comprised as group 1 and 11. Group I was only given gentamycin and its effect on kidney functions was observed. Group II was given gentamycin and extract of nigella sativa for 11 days and the biochemical changes related to kidney functions were estimated. Results: In group 1, Level of serum proteins, albumin and cholesterol were decreased after the administration of gentamycin but significant difference was only observed in case of cholesterol before the administration of gentamycin. On the other hand the level of blood urea, serum creatinine and serum calcium was increased, but significant difference was only observed in case of serum calcium when compared with the level of calcium before the administration of gentamycin. In group 2, Level of blood-urea, serum creatinine and cholesterol were decreased after the administration of gentamycin and nigella sativa (at the 11 th day of administration) but significant difference was only observed in the case of serum cholesterol. On the other hand the levels of serum protein and serum calcium were nonsignificantly increased, whereas the level of serum albumin remained the same. Conclusion: It is suggested that although nigella sativa shows a significant effect on nephrotoxicity induced by gentamycin but its effect on the level of serum calcium and cholesterol may be dangerous. However further research is needed on large number of rabbits to reach on a definite conclusion.