PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF RED GRAPE SEED (VITIS VENIFERA) IN NEPHROTOXICITY INDUCED BY AMIKACIN IN MICE

Amikacin is one of aminoglycosides that is used as an antibiotic in infections caused by gram-negative microorganisms. Amikacin adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity limit its application and use. Most reports have shown that aminoglycosides can cause reduction of antioxidant capacity of enzymes. In this study hydroalcoholic extract of red grape seed (Vitis venifera) as a natural antioxidant was used to protect nephrotoxicity induced by amikacin. The hydroalcoholic extract of red grape seeds was prepared by maceration method. Five groups of mice (each group consisted of 10 mice) were used. The negative control group received distillated water and the positive control group were administered with amikacin in doses of 250 mg/kg intraperitoneal (ip.).

The treated groups received orally 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the red grape seed extract and after one hour amikacin was administered ip. 250 mg/kg. This experiment was carried out for seven days and then, 24 hours after the last administration of crude extract and amikacin, (on 7^th day) blood was taken from the jugular vein of mice for Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine measurements. Then kidneys were removed for histopathological examinations. Results obtained in this study indicated that group received red grape seed extract in dose of 400 mg/kg showed significant kidney protection and the crude extract was dose dependent as compared with the positive control group. The histopathological studies also have confirmed the results mentioned above.Thus, Vitis venifera extract can be a good protective agent against nephrotoxicity induced by amikacin but it requires further toxicological studies.