Protective Effects of Tribulus terrestris Against Gentamicin Mediated Nephrotoxicity, Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis in Male Rats

Gentamicin (GNT) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is that's employed in the treatment of diverse forms of bacterial infections. However, gentamicin evoked renal toxicity. Therefore, the present experiment investigated the protecting impact of Tribulus terrestris and vitamin C against GNT-induced renal toxicity in albino rats. Six groups with eight rats each were used for this purpose; they included the normal control group that received physiological saline, the second group received Tribulus terrestris(200 mg kg orally), the third group received Vit. C(200 mg kg, orally). The fourth group injected gentamicin sulfate (100mg/kg I/P). The fifth group received Tribulus terrestris (200 mg kg orally) then injected with gentamicin sulfate, the sixth group received Vit. C (200 mg kg orally) then injected with gentamicin sulfate. The results showed that GNT significantly decreases serum levels of total protein and albumin. On the other hand, there were significant increases in levels of BUN, creatinine, and uric acid. Significant decreases were recorded in the levels of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, there was a substantial increase in the kidney contents of malondialdehyde (MDA). Serum levels of beta 2 microglobulin (β2M), nitric oxide (NO), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were substantially magnified but glutathione S transferase (GST) was significantly declined.  Also, GNT caused histopathological changes and increased the expression of caspase-3 in the kidney tissues. However, administration of Tribulus terrestris as well as vitamin C, ameliorated the GNT-induced nephrotoxicity, perhaps via their antioxidant properties.