title: Protective effect of pomegranate flower extract against gentamicin-induced renal toxicity in male rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gentamicin (GM) as an antibiotic is used in clinic. However, its administration is limited by side effects such as nephrotoxicity. Herbal extracts could be used in therapeutic approaches.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was planned to investigate whether pomegranate flower extract (PFE) could ameliorate GM-induced renal toxicity in male rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty eight male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. Groups 1 and 2 respectively received PFE 25 and 50 mg/kg for 9 days. Groups 3, 4 and 5 received saline, PFE 25 mg/kg, and PFE 50 mg/kg for 9 days, respectively, and GM (100 mg/kg/day) was administered from day 3 on. Blood samples were obtained, and after sacrificing the animals, the kidneys were removed for histopathology investigations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GM alone increased the serum levels of creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and tissue damage and kidney weight (P < 0.05). However, administration of low dose of PFE accompanied with GM decreased these markers significantly (P < 0.05). Low dose of PFE also ameliorated weight loss induced by GM (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that PFE 25 mg/kg is the effective dose to ameliorate nephrotoxicity induced by GM.
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Department of Biology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ferdos
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Isfahan MN Institute of Basic and Applied Sciences Research Center, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nematbakhsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noori-Diziche
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eshraghi-Jazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ardeshir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talebi
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nasri
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mansouri
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Aghdas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dehghani
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Shadan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saberi
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirdavani
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ashrafi
keywords: Gentamicin; Pomegr Nephrotoxicity; anate flower extract