The Nephroprotective Effect of Clove Oil (Oleum Caryophylli) Against Levofloxacin Toxicity in Rats

Background: Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, but it may induce kidney dysfunction. Clove oil (Oleum caryophylli) has antioxidant properties that may alleviate levofloxacin toxicity. This study aimed to examine the protective effect of clove oil on levofloxacin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat animal models. Methods: A total of 24 male rats were divided into 6 groups. One group did not receive levofloxacin to serve as the control. The treatment groups received a single daily administration of levofloxacin (93 mg/kg) with either placebo or clove oil (10 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, or 50 mg/kg per body weight) pre-treatment. Another group received Curcuma extract pre-treatment as a comparison. Blood samples were withdrawn after 28 days of treatment to measure serum biomarkers (urea and creatinine), and the kidneys were removed to measure renal Malondialdehyde (MDA) and histopathological analysis. Results: The results showed that clove oil pre-treatment at a dose of 10 mg/kg was able to reduce renal MDA and serum biomarker levels (P<0.05). The effect was similar to that found in Curcuma-treated rats. In addition, clove oil (10 mg/kg) was also found to ameliorate renal histopathological damage due to levofloxacin.  Conclusion: Based on biomarker and histopathological analysis, clove oil pre-treatment in rats provides a nephroprotective effect against levofloxacin toxicity.