Effect of caraway on gentamicin-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and nephrotoxicity in rats

Different potentially therapeutic approaches to prevent or attenuate gentamicin (GEM) induced nephrotoxicity have been proposed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of caraway seed oil against GEM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats (24) were randomly assigned into four equal groups: i) normal control group, ii) treated with GEM, iii) pretreated with orally caraway seed oil 10 (mg kg−1) plus GEM and iv) treated with GEM and caraway seed oil 10 mg kg−1. Biochemical examinations were utilized for evaluation of the oxidative stress and renal nephrotoxicity. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined. Administration of gentamicin to rats induced a marked renal failure, characterized by a significant increase in plasma creatinine and BUN concentrations. The animals treated with gentamicin alone showed a significantly higher plasma MDA level andlower SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities when compared with the control group. Treatment and simultaneous treatment with caraway seed oil produced amelioration in MDA and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH-Px and CAT when compared with the gentamicin treated group. In addition, GEM nephrotoxicity increased renal inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ). Pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the test groups administered caraway seed oil. These findings suggest that caraway seed oil treatment attenuates renal dysfunction and structural damage through the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.