Nephrotoxic effects of Valeriana wallichii

Aminoglycosides are the commonly used antibiotics against Gram negative bacteria. Their clinical applications are limited due to nephrotoxic side effects. Therefore, the current study was undertaken in an attempt to increase the use of these drugs without causing nephrotoxicity by exploring the nephroprotective effects of a medicinal plant with high flavonoid contents and strong antioxidant properties, namely Valeriana wallichii. A daily dose of 200mg/kg of the extract derived from V. wallichii was employed for a period of three weeks. The results obtained revealed that co-therapy of extract with gentamicin protected some changes in renal functions; however, failed to provide a complete protection as assessed by biochemical, physiological and histological parameters. It can be concluded from the current findings that V. wallichii failed to deliver protective effects against gentamicin induced renal damage in spite of strong flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties.

Nephroprotective property of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and its antibacterial activity in combination with gantamicin

Cinnamomum zeylanicum has strong antioxidant properties and has been presented to have nephroprotective effects. Present work was aimed to study the nephroprotective property of the plant extract through urinary enzymes excretion, to confirm its protective effects and to observe the antibacterial activities of gentamicin in combination with the plant extract. 200mg/kg/day of the plant extracts were administered alone and as co-therapy with gentamicin. Urinary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Urinary alkaline phospatase (ALP) excretions were observed through reagents kits with the help of Power-Lab 300. Antibacterial activities were assessed for gentamicin alone and in combination with the extract. Present study showed that the plant extract have excess quantity of flavonoids, which may responsible for attenuating the excessive excretion of urinary LDH. However, Urinary ALP excretion was found remained same throughout the study period in all experimental groups; might be detected in acute damage. Further, the plant also proved to have no decreasing impact on the antibacterial activities of gentamicin.

Cryopreservation Of Nili-Ravi Buffalo Bull Sperm in Cryodiluent Supplemented with Lolium perenne Protein Preparations

BACKGROUND

Semen from the Nili-Ravi buffalo bull, Bubalus bubalis, shows poor survival after freeze storage compared to bovine (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) semen. Freeze-susceptibility distinctions in these two genera have been attributed to differences in sperm membranes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured the impact of protein preparations derived from a frost-resistant perennial grass, Lolium perenne, with ice recrystallization inhibition activity on the low temperature storage of B. bubalis semen.

RESULTS

When the L. perenne preparations (0.1, 1, 10 µg/mL) were added to buffalo semen [2 ejaculates per bull (N=3) per replicate (r=3)] in Tris-citrate extender (50×10⁶sperm mL^-1), there was no impact on semen quality, as measured by sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity, after storage at 4 degree C (P>0.05). However, when semen supplemented with the grass proteins (0.1 and 1 µg mL^-1) was evaluated after freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen for 24 h, post-thaw sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity was higher (P<0.05) than in control samples. Post-thaw sperm viability and sperm acrosome integrity was similar (P > 0.05) to controls.

CONCLUSION

The improvement in cryopreserved buffalo sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity suggests that the use of these easily-made preparations may improve fertility after cryopreservation and offers the prospect of improved conception rates after artificial insemination with cryopreservation.

A PROSPECTIVE PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF MEDICINAL HERBS, CUCUMIS MELO AND BERBERIS VULGARIS, COMMONLY USED IN THE TREATMENT OF RENAL DISEASES IN PAKISTAN

The kidneys are important organs which have many functions in the body, including the production of hormones, absorbtion of minerals and the filtration of blood, producing urine. Their failure can be fatal, therefore, to focus the study of such herbs which may be useful in treating renal disease is the need of hour. In Pakistan, Cucumis melo and Berberis vulgaris has been commonly used for renal problems. In both of these plants were found flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenes, which may stand for their renal protective properties. Their reported vitamin E contents and antioxidant potentials also provide a base for their defensive mechanism, may be due to their free radical scavenging properties. Further, their diuretic and urinary tract anti-ulcer properties also support their traditional use in renal diseases. Their anti-histaminic and anti-cholinergic properties also provide symptomatic treatment by decreasing prostaglandin level and due to antispasmodic properties. Concluding, both of these plants can be used for renal problems, especially Cucumis melo, which have both the nutritive and medicinal properties. Therefore, the renal disease patients are advised to take much of this particular fruit, especially their seeds to make their kidneys healthy.

Nephro-protective potential of Morus alba, a prospective experimental study on animal models

CONTEXT

Morus alba L. (Moraceae) is traditionally used for the treatment of urinary incontinency due its strong diuretic properties.

OBJECTIVE

The present study explores the renal protective effects of M. alba, due to its free radical scavenging properties, in order to provide experimental evidence for its established use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg/d) derived from M. alba fruit was employed in rabbits as a co-therapy (GM-al) with gentamicin (80 mg/kg/d) for a period of 3 weeks. Biochemical kidney functioning parameters, urinary isozymes, and histopathological examination were performed.

RESULTS

The results showed that ethanol extract of Morus alba L. prevented alterations in serum creatinine (4.02 ± 0.14, p < 0.0001), blood urea nitrogen (54.18 ± 2.60, p < 0.0001), and serum uric acid levels (2.34 ± 0.12, p < 0.001). However, a decrease in creatinine clearance and urinary volume was observed in experimental groups. Histopathological examination and urinary enzymes excretion also suggested the protective role of the extract.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The co-administration of M. alba with gentamicin prevented renal functioning alterations expected with the use of gentamicin alone. Therefore, it can be concluded that M. alba to protect from kidney damage, which may be because of its free radical scavenging and diuretic properties.

Efficiency of antifreeze glycoproteins for cryopreservation of Nili-Ravi (Bubalus bubalis) buffalo bull sperm

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of Antarctic fish antifreeze glycoproteins, (AFGP) size 1-5 (34-10.5 kDa) and 7-8 (3.2 and 2.4 kDa) in extender on buffalo bull sperm at cooling (4 °C) and at post thawing. Semen was collected from three Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls with artificial vagina for 3 weeks. Qualifying ejaculates from each buffalo bull were diluted (at 37 °C having 50×10(6) sperm/mL) in tris-citric acid extender containing AFGP at 0 (control), 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/mL. An aliquot of diluted semen was evaluated for sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity, while the remaining fraction was cooled to 4 °C in 2 h. Further, an aliquot of cooled semen was evaluated for the previously described variables and the remaining fraction was cryopreserved (-196 °C). After 24 h of storage, straws were thawed at 37 °C for 30 s to assess post-thaw sperm quality. Inclusion of AFGP in the extender did not affect (P>0.05) sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity of buffalo bull sperm at cooling stage (4 °C). However, at post thawing, improvement (P<0.05) in sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity was recorded in extender containing AFGP 1-5 and AFGP 7-8 at 1 μg/mL compared to the control. Percentage of live sperm with an intact acrosome remained similar (P>0.05) in extenders containing different amounts of AFGP and control. In conclusion, supplementation of 1 μg/ml of AFGP in extender improved the motility and plasma membrane integrity of Nili-Ravi buffalo sperm after thawing.

Nephroprotective potentials of Citrus aurantium: a prospective pharmacological study on experimental models

Citrus aurantium is traditionally used in various kidney problems like burning of urine, urinary hesitancy and renal colic. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the protective role of Citrus aurantium against gentamicin induced renal damage, due to its free radical scavenging properties to present experimental facts for their traditional use. 200 mg/kg/day of ethanolic extract of the plant employed in combination with the toxic doses of gentamicin for twenty-one days. The group GC-au (animals treated with co-administration of Citrus aurantium and gentamicin) protected renal damage expected with gentamicin, assessed by known functional and morphological parameters, significantly different from group G (animals treated with gentamicin). All the renal functioning parameters including; Blood urea nitrogen, Serum creatinine, Serum uric acid, Creatinine clearance, Serum electrolytes, Body weight, Urinary volume, Enzyme excretions, Urinary protein excretions and histological examination was performed for each and every group animals. The plant extract proved to have nephroprotective potentials may because of its known flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties.

Mentha piperita in nephrotoxicity--a possible intervention to ameliorate renal derangements associated with gentamicin

OBJECTIVE

Free radical generation has a strong role in the pathogenesis of renal damage associated with the use of gentamicin. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the renoprotective effect of Mentha piperita against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 24 male rabbits were divided into 4 groups receiving normal saline, gentamicin, M. piperita extract and co-therapy of extract and gentamicin respectively. Gentamicin was provided as 80 mg/kg/day intramuscularly and extract was given 200 mg/kg/day orally for a period of 21 days. Serum and urinary biochemical parameters and histological changes were studied for each group. The impact of the extract on the antibacterial action of gentamicin was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Animals treated with gentamicin showed derangements in serum and urinary biochemical parameters. These alterations were reversed by treatment with M. piperita extract. The histological changes showed in gentamicin group were also reverted by treatment with the extract. Further the plant did not influence the efficacy of gentamicin with respect to its antimicrobial properties.

CONCLUSION

Co-therapy of M. piperita with gentamicin successfully attenuated biochemical kidney functioning derangements and morphological changes associated with gentamicin.

Protective potential of Tamarindus indica against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity

Abstract Context: Gentamicin is an antibiotic that is effective against Gram-negative microorganisms. However, its clinical applications are often limited due to nephrotoxic effects. Objective: This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous-ethanol extract of Tamarindus indica L. (Leguminosae) fruits against gentamicin-induced renal toxicity. Materials and methods: A daily dose of 200 mg/kg of 70% aqueous-ethanol extract derived from T. indica was employed in male rabbits as a co-therapy with gentamicin (80 mg/kg) for a period of three weeks. Serum and urinary renal function parameters and histological assessments were carried out and compared with one way analysis of variance (Graphpad prism version 5.00, Graphpad Software, San Diego, CA). Results: The results showed that gentamicin-treated animals had significantly elevated blood urea nitrogen (54.1 ± 2.6 mg/dl), serum creatinine (4.0 ± 0.1 mg/dl), serum uric acid (2.3 ± 0.1 mg/dl) and urinary protein excretion (3.8 ± 0.3 mg/dl) with a fall in body weight (10 ± 1%), creatinine clearance (0.7 ± 0.09 ml/min), serum potassium (3.4 ± 0.1 mEq/l), serum calcium (7.6 ± 0.2 mg/dl), urinary volume (126 ± 9 ml/24 h) and urinary lactate dehydrogenase secretion (103.1 ± 4.2 U/l). However, animals treated by co-therapy with gentamicin and T. indica had significantly improved renal structure and function. Discussion and conclusion: Co-therapy of 200 mg/kg/d of T. indica for a period of three weeks successfully prevented functional and morphological derangements caused by gentamicin as assessed by different renal function parameters and histological examinations.

Arachidic acid in extender improves post-thaw parameters of cryopreserved Nili-Ravi buffalo bull semen

Cryopreservation process reduces lipids and phospholipids from buffalo bull spermatozoa. It was therefore hypothesized that supplementation of fatty acid to extender may improve the post-thaw quality of buffalo semen. The objective was to evaluate the effect of arachidic acid supplementation in extender on post-thaw quality of buffalo bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa. Semen was collected from three adult Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls of similar age group with artificial vagina (42°C) for 3 weeks (replicate). Qualified semen ejaculates (n = 18) were split into four aliquots and diluted in tris-citric acid extender containing 0.0 (control), 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ng/ml at 37°C having approximately 50 × 10(6) spermatozoa/ml. Diluted semen was cooled to 4°C in 2 h and equilibrated for 4 h at 4°C. Cooled semen was filled in 0.5-ml straws at 4°C, kept on liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 min and plunged in liquid nitrogen for storage. Thawing of frozen semen was performed after 24 h at 37°C for 30 s. Sperm progressive motility (%) was improved in a dose-dependent manner by supplementing arachidic acid at 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ng/ml compared with control. Structural and functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane (%), number of acrosome-intact live sperm (%) and sperm chromatin integrity (%) were better (p < 0.05) in extender having 5.0 ng/ml of arachidic acid compared with control. At 10.0 ng/ml, these values did not vary (p > 0.05) from those at 5.0 ng/ml. Further improvement in structural and functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane, number of acrosome-intact live sperm and chromatin integrity was observed at 20.0 ng/ml of arachidic acid in extender. In conclusion, arachidic acid supplementation in extender improved the post-thaw quality parameters of cryopreserved Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa. Among the arachidic acid concentrations studied, maximum improvement in post-thaw semen quality parameters was observed at 20.0 ng/ml.

Citrullus colocynthis failed to combat against renal derangements, in spite of its strong antioxidant properties

Gentamicin is a potent antibiotic, effective against Gram negative bacteria. The most common adverse effect of gentamicin is nephrotoxicity. Present study was aimed to explore the protective potentials of Citrullus colocynthis against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity due to its strong antioxidant properties. Toxic doses of gentamicin (80 mg/kg/day, i.m.) were administered alone and as co-therapy with the extract of C. colocynthis (25 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Physiological, biochemical and histological examinations were performed to compare the experimental and toxic groups (n = 6) with control group animals. Co-therapy of C. colocynthis with gentamicin protected changes in the body weight, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance, proteins and lactate dehydrogenase excretions. However, a significant rise in serum creatinine and serum uric acid with fall in serum calcium and serum potassium was observed, which were significantly different from control group animals. Necrotic and ruptured tubules were also found abundantly. This study revealed that co-theapy of C. colocynthis with gentamicin for twenty one days, failed to protect renal injury associated by gentamicin in spite of its strong antioxidant properties.