Preventive and Protective Role of Pomegranate Fruit Extract (Punica granatum) on Gentamicin-induced Side Effects in Wistar rats.

Gentamicin (GM) is an antibiotic, and its uncontrolled use is nephrotoxic. Renal proximal convoluted tubules are the major GM targets. Nephrotoxicity in rats was induced by gentamicin, and the protective effects using pomegranate extract were monitored for 15 days. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, PG group (ingested pomegranate fruit extract, PG), GM group (80 mg/kg/day gentamicin) and combined treatment PG-GM and GM-PG. The treatment had been applied for two weeks before hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as the particular markers of nephrotoxicity, were analyzed. GM alone caused lymphocytopenia, and granulopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, uricemia, hyperglycemia and high enzyme activities. Therapeutic groups (GM + PG) did not show complete nephroprotection; recovery depended on the period of ingestion, before or after GM administration. Hypobilirubinemia was noted in the GM-PG group. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as an oxidative stress biomarker showed high levels in all treatment groups. PM extract fruit alone can have an immunosuppressive effect, increase the number of platelets, and lower the triglyceride values. The preventive use of PG as a dietary product has certain health benefits, but the therapeutic effect in GM-induced nephrotoxicity is moderate. Pomegranate fruit can normalize altered values of hematological and biochemical parameters, depending on the dose and exposure. Simultaneously, excessive use can result in side effects.