Abstract
Background and aims: Kidney injury is associated with serious short and long-term morbidities, increased risk of death and stupendous healthcare costs. The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic role of Kidney Revival (KR), an herbal formulation, on gentamicin-induced kidney injury in animals.
Methods: The antioxidant properties of KR were studied using the DPPH assay and hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and superoxide radical scavenging. Moreover, the therapeutic application of KR was studied in acute oral toxicity in mice and gentamicininduced renal toxicity in rats. All clinical, pathological and biochemical features related to kidney injury were carefully studied.
Results: In vitro experiments showed free radical scavenging properties of KR. Acute oral toxicity investigations revealed that KR was safe up to 2 ml/kg. Treatment with KR in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxic animals showed a significant (p<0.05) and dose-dependent enhancement of excretion of urea and creatinine. It also maintained electrolyte (sodium, potassium and chloride) balance in blood and counteracted oxidative stress in renal tissues. Histopathological findings also corroborated the results.
Conclusion: Enhancement of creatinine and urea excretion indicated that KR acted directly on renal tubules to modify glomerular filtration rate and its excretory functions.