Protective effect of pomegranate flower extract against gentamicin-induced renal toxicity in male rats

Introduction: gentamicin (gm) as an antibiotic is used in clinic. however, its administration is limited by side effects such as nephrotoxicity. herbal extracts could be used in therapeutic approaches.objectives: the present study was planned to investigate whether pomegranate flower extract (pfe) could ameliorate gm-induced renal toxicity in male rats.materials and methods: twenty eight male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. groups 1 and 2 respectively received pfe 25 and 50 mg/kg for 9 days. groups 3, 4 and 5 received saline, pfe 25 mg/kg, and pfe 50 mg/kg for 9 days, respectively, and gm (100 mg/kg/day) was administered from day 3 on. blood samples were obtained, and after sacrificing the animals, the kidneys were removed for histopathology investigations.results: gm alone increased the serum levels of creatinine (cr) and blood urea nitrogen (bun), and tissue damage and kidney weight (p < 0.05). however, administration of low dose of pfe accompanied with gm decreased these markers significantly (p < 0.05). low dose of pfe also ameliorated weight loss induced by gm (p < 0.05).conclusion: it is concluded that pfe 25 mg/kg is the effective dose to ameliorate nephrotoxicity induced by gm.