The protective effect of Origanum majorana essential oil on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Abstract

Gentamicin (GM) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used in gram-negative bacterial infection. The use of gentamicin causes nephrotoxicity. Origanum majorana (OM) a plant, has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is to determine the protective effects of OM on GM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into 6 groups (n=8): The Control group: was given olive oil, OM (0,32 ml/kg) group: was given by gavage OM (0,32 ml/kg) for 28 days, OM (0,64 ml/kg) group: was given by gavage OM (0,64 ml/kg) for 28 days, GM group: was given 100 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally GM from the 21st to the 28th day, OM (0,32 ml/kg) +GM group: was given by gavage OM (0,32 ml/kg) for 28 days and was given 100 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally GM from the 21st to the 28th day, OM (0,64 ml/kg)+GM group: was given by gavage OM (0,64 ml/kg) for 28 days and was given 100 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally GM from the 21st to the 28th day. Kidney tissues were evaluated histopathologically. The TUNEL method was used for evaluation of the apoptotic index. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the kidney tissue were measured by ELISA assay. Histopathological damage, TUNEL positive cell count and MDA level increased in the GM group compared to the Control group. Moreover, SOD and CAT levels decreased in the GM group. There was a decrease TUNEL positive cell count in OM (0,32 ml/kg) +GM and OM (0,64ml/kg) +GM groups compared to GM group. As a result, OM can be used as a protective agent to reduce kidney damage by suppressing apoptotic pathways and by increasing antioxidant capacity.