Nephroprotective Effect of Khar-E-Khasak Khurd (Tribulus terristris Linn) on Gentamicin-Induced Experimental Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Background: Aminoglycoside-Gentamicin is an effective antibiotic against Gram-negative bacterial infections and used in allopathic clinical practice. But its nephrotoxicity limits its frequent clinical use. Unani system of Medicine (USM) has a unique description for tonic (Muqawwiyat) of many vital organs e.g. heart, brain, eye, kidney, and liver. In Unani classics many nephroprotective drugs have been mentioned by the scholars, Khar-e-Khasak Khurd (KKK) is one of them. This study was designed to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of KKK powder on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Methods: Albino rats of Wistar strain of either sex were divided into four groups, each having six animals. Nephrotoxicity was induced by giving gentamicin 100-mg/kg b.w/day/subcutaneous in neck region for four days. Gentamicin-administered rats were treated with powder of KKK (840 and 1680 mg/kg/Day) the treatment was started 3 days before the administration of gentamicin while it was continued for 14 days from the day of gentamicin administration.

Results: Administration of gentamicin significantly increased the Blood Urea nitrogen (BUN)-155% serum creatinine (SC)-187% and Serum Uric Acid (SUA)-123% levels. The oral administration of KKK (840 mg/kg) inhibited the rise in blood urea (47.09%), serum creatinine (95.93%) and uric acid (51.41%). There were 70.79% inhibition in the rise of BUN, 72.35% inhibition in the rise of serum creatinine and 79.35% inhibition in the rise of uric acid with 1680mg (KKK).

Conclusion: KKK powder has a potential to prevent gentamicin-induced experimental nephrotoxicity in dose dependent manner. The kidney protective effect of KKK powder against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity proved the claims of Unani physicians.