A STUDY ON NEPHROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA ON GENTAMICIN INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Objective: To evaluate the nephroprotective effect of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves in gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Methods: Adult albino rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 animal each, group I (normal control) treated with 2% Gum acacia orally, group II (positive control) treated with 2% Gum acacia orally with 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal gentamicin, group III (standard treatment) treated with silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w, orally) with 100mg/kg intraperitoneal gentamicin and groups IV–V (test groups) treated with aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves (AELPG) orally at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w with 100mg/kg intraperitoneal gentamicin respectively for 15 days. Serum Urea, S. Creatinine, S. Sodium, S. Potassium and S. Chloride analysis and microscopic examination of kidney were performed. Results: Gentamicin treatment caused nephrotoxicity as evidenced by significant elevation in serum urea, creatinine and electrolytes level respectively when compared to the normal control groups. Co-administration aqueous leaf extract of Psidium guajava with gentamicin significantly decreased the rise in these parameters in dose dependent manner. Similarly, silymarin treated group also significantly mitigated the biochemical markers of renal injury. Histopathological analyses revealed renal cell degeneration, necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in gentamicin treated rats, whereas AELPG- and silymarin-treated groups mitigated the severity of gentamicin-induced renal damage. Conclusion: The study highlighted the protective role of Psidium guajava against renal injury induced by gentamicin thereby scientifically justifying its traditional use.