Evaluation of Nephroprotective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cyperus scariosus Linn. in Gentamicin-induced Acute Kidney Injury in Wistar Albino Rats

Background: Gentamicin is a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of Gram-negative infections, but nephrotoxicity limits its use. Cyperus scariosus Linn. (CS) has been found to have antioxidant properties in vitro. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of CS in gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: The animals were divided into nine groups. AKI was produced with a 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of gentamicin for 7 days. Next, alpha-lipoic acid 100 mg/kg i.p. served as the active control, while the test drug (CS) was given in two doses (150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg orally) for 10 days. Distilled water, 1 ml/day orally for 7 days, served as the vehicle control. The protective and curative effects, respectively, were assessed by the administration of CS before and after the induction of AKI. The effects of CS on AKI were assessed by serological and histopathological parameters. Results: Serum creatinine was significantly increased (P < 0.05) while 24 hours urine output, urine creatinine, and serum protein were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in rats treated with gentamicin as compared to the control group. As the active control, alpha-lipoic acid showed nephroprotective effects on the urinary, serological, and histopathological parameters. C. scariosus Linn., as a preventive and curative therapy, restored urine output and altered the serological parameters non-significantly compared to the disease-control group. It also preserved the normal kidney architecture, as evidenced by histopathological parameters. Conclusions: In our study, hydroalcoholic extract of Cyperus scariosus Linn. offered nephroprotection in the form of AKI prevention and for the treatment of established AKI.