Ameliorative Potential of Eclipta alba on Gentamycin Induced Renal Toxicity in Rats

Nephrotoxicity is a common event, which can cause significant morbidity and can be easily overlooked. Gentamycin is an antimicrobial agent which can cause nephrotoxicity on prolonged use. A large number of herbs have traditionally been used to treat drug or toxin-induced renal diseases. The present study was a similar attempt in that direction to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of whole plant of Eclipta alba against gentamycin induced nephrotoxicity. The animals were divided into five groups (n=6) consisting of normal control, toxic control and three test groups which received different doses of the extract (100, 200 & 400mg/kg, p.o). Nephroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Eclipta alba was evaluated by assessing the blood parameters and histopathological studies of kidney. Elevated levels of serum urea, serum creatinine, total protein and uric acid have been significantly reduced in dose depending manner by oral administration of ethanolic extract of whole plant of Eclipta alba. These observations were supported by histopathological studies.