Possible Protective Potential of Atorvastatin and Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) Oil in Amikacin induced Nephrotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Amikacin (AMK) has long been utilized as a gainful antibiotic in preventing Gram-negative infections. Despite all the profitable impacts, amikacin has significant nephrotoxic side effects. The possible protective effects of atorvastatin (ATO) and/or black seed (Nigella sativa) oil (NSO) were evaluated in rats with amikacin-induced acute renal damage, in which generation of reactive oxygen species plays a noteworthy role. Methods: Rats were treated with AMK (30 mg/kg body weight/day, subcutaneously) alone or with ATO (5 mg/kg/day, by gavage) and/or NSO (400 mg/kg/day, by gavage) for 2 weeks. Nephrotoxicity was assessed using serum parameters in addition to tissue biomarkers of oxidative stress as well as renal histopathology. Results: Rats insulted with AMK showed increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Besides, AMK significantly decreased the antioxidant capacity as reflected by the change in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) in the study. This was supported by the presence of marked morphological alterations of the kidney. Whereas pre-treatment with NSO alone protected the rats from AMK-induced renal toxicity, the nephroprotective effects of NSO-ATO combination were more potent than either of the two drugs alone. The simultaneous use of atorvastatin and NS oil resulted in a significant improvement of the above parameters of kidney functions and markers of oxidative stress as well as attenuation of histopathological alterations. Interpretation and Conclusion: Taken together, the present results indicate that the combination of ATO and NSO significantly minimizes AMK-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats, may be due to their antioxidant properties.