Journal of Enam Medical College (Jan 2014)
Histological Evidence of Nephroprotective Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract against Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Abstract
Background: Kidney damage can occur due to exposure to nephrotoxic drugs, chemicals, toxins and infectious agents, ultimately leading to renal failure, management of which is a great challenge. So, efforts have been focused on traditional and herbal medicines for the treatment of renal failure. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) may have free radical scavenging activity and can be used for the prevention and treatment of kidney damage. Objective: To observe the histological evidence of nephroprotective effect of Ashwagandha root against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: This study was done in the department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka. A total number of 31 male Wistar albino rats were acclimatized for 14 days. Then, these were divided into two groups, control group consisted of 18 rats (Group A) and Ashwagandha pretreated and gentamicin-treated group consisted of 13 rats (Group B). Control group was again subdivided into baseline control and gentamicin-treated control groups (A1 and A2) ─ each group contained 9 rats. All the animals received basal diet for 22 consecutive days. In addition to this, animals of Group A2 received gentamicin subcutaneously (100 mg/kg body weight/day) from 15th to 22nd day and animals of Group B received Ashwagandha root extract (500 mg/kg body weight/day orally) for 22 consecutive days and gentamicin subcutaneously (100 mg/kg body weight/day) from 15th to 22nd day. All the animals were sacrificed on 23rd day. Then kidney samples were collected and histology was done by using standard laboratory procedure. Results: Histological examination of kidney revealed abnormal histological findings in 100% of gentamicin-treated rats. But 92.31% of rats in Ashwagandha pretreated and gentamicin-treated group showed almost normal structure and 7.69% showed mild histological changes. Conclusion: Ashwagandha root may have some nephroprotective effect against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.
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