Protective effects of aqueous extract of M. Pruriens Linn. (DC) seed against gentamicin induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats

In the present study, we investigated the effects of the aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens against gentamicin (100 mg kg -1 per day for six days) induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats. Administration of gentamicin to rats induced a marked renal failure, characterized by a significant increase in urine volume and serum creatinine and urea levels. There was a significant decrease in body weight, urinary creatinine level and creatinine clearance in gentamicin treated rats as compared to control. The animals treated with gentamicin also showed a significantly higher kidney lipid peroxides and lower superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione activities when compared with the control group. M. prureins seed extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg in addition to gentamicin caused a dose dependant decrease in serum urea and serum creatinine levels and an increase in creatinine clearance. M. pruriens also prevented gentamicin induced rise in lipid peroxides and the reduction of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione activities in a dose dependant manner. Our data suggest that M. pruriens extract has protective potential against gentamicin induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats.