Background: Renal diseases are among the commonest cause of hospitalization in most of the countries. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common and serious renal problem having high morbidity and mortality rate. So, prevention of occurrence and progression of acute renal failure (ARF) has become a very important issue. However modern system of medicine lacks reliable nephroprotective drugs. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a traditional Indian plant having antioxidant property may be used for nephroprotection. Methods: The study was carried out in two phases. In phase 1, evaluation of nephroprotection was done. 54 rats were randomised in 3 groups named G10, G20 and G30 according to 10, 20 and 30 days of treatment. In each of the main groups, rats were randomly assigned to any of the three subgroups i.e. control C group (received normal saline (2ml/100gm/day) orally once a day consecutively for test duration), gentamicin treated GT (received normal saline (2ml/100gm/day) orally once a day consecutively for test duration, Injection gentamicin (40mg/kg) was given intraperitonealy once daily for last five days) and W. Somnifera treated WST group (received W. somnifera orally (500mg/kg/day) as a single dose in morning for the test duration and injection gentamicin (40mg/kg) was given intraperitonealy once daily for last five days). Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose of gentamicin injection (on 11 th , 21 st and 31 st day). In Phase-2 nephrocurative activity of W. somnifera was compared with the spontaneous reversal of gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. 72 rats were randomized into two groups. In Group-1: 36 rats received intra-peritoneal gentamicin for five days in a dose of 40 mg/kg. In Group-2: 36 rats received intra-peritoneal gentamicin for five days in a dose of 40 mg/kg. From the 5 th day onward these rats received W. Somnifera orally in a dose of 500mg/kg/day till the rats are sacrificed. Six rats from each group were sacrificed on 3 rd , 5 th , 7

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Background: Drug induced nephrotoxicity, one of the most common renal problem, is a challenge to deal with especially in patients with renal dysfunction. It is responsible for 20% cases of acute renal failure in the community. Modern medicines are costly and have minimal nephroprotection. Solanum nigrum fruit extract, a cheaper drug, have antioxidant property and may help in nephroprotection.Methods: Total 54 rats were randomised in 3 groups named G10, G20 and G30 according to 10, 20 and 30 days of treatment. In each groups, rats were randomly assigned to any of the three subgroups i.e., control C group [received normal saline (2 ml/100 gm/day) orally consecutively for test duration], gentamicin treated (GT) group [received normal saline (2 ml/100 gm/day) orally consecutively for test duration and intraperitoneal gentamicin (40 mg/kg) once daily for last five days] and S. nigrum treated (SNT) group [received S. nigrum orally (200 mg/kg/day) for the test duration and intraperitoneal gentamicin (40 mg/kg) once daily for last five days]. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose of gentamicin injection (on 11th, 21st and 31st day). Excised kidneys were weighted and prepared for histological examination.Results: The mean weight of kidneys in GT group was significantly higher than the SNT group in all test durations suggestive of decrease in inflammation in SNT group. This was also reflected histologically as SNT group kidney showed less amount of tubular destruction as compared to GT group.Conclusions: S. nigrum extract provide nephroprotection against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.

Background: Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside group of drug, used against aerobic gram negative bacteria, is known for nephrotoxicity. Herbal products have a special place in the world of pharmaceuticals with their safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) roots had known since long for its antioxidant status and free radical scavenging property. So W. somnifera can be used as nephroprotective agent because of free radical scavenging property.Methods: Total 54 rats were randomised in 3 groups named G10, G20 and G30 according to 10, 20 and 30 days of treatment. In each groups, rats were randomly assigned to any of the three subgroups i.e., control C group [received normal saline (2 ml/100 gm/day) orally consecutively for test duration], gentamicin treated GT group [received normal saline (2 ml/100 gm/day) orally consecutively for test duration and intraperitoneal gentamicin (40 mg/kg) once daily for last five days] and W. somnifera treated WST group [received W. somnifera orally (500 mg/kg/day) for the test duration and intraperitoneal gentamicin (40 mg/kg) once daily for last five days]. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose of gentamicin injection. Excised kidneys were weighted and prepared for histological examination.Results: The mean weight of kidneys in GT group was significantly higher than the WST group in all test durations indicating the antioxidant and free radical scavenging property. This was also reflected histologically as WST group kidney showed less amount inflammation as compared to GT group.Conclusions: W. somnifera root extract provide nephroprotection against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.