Abstract
Objective: the aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity, the total phenol and flavonoid content and the possible protective effects of commercial propolis on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits.
Methods: the in vitro antioxidant activity was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assay, the total phenols content was measured by folin-ciocalteau assay, the flavonoids content by the alcl3 colorimetric method and the renoprotective effects of propolis methanol extract was evaluated in a rabbit model of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. The protective effects of propolis on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits were evaluated through biochemical parameter (measuring serum urea and creatinine) and histopathological alterations in kidneys
Results: methanol extract of propolis showed a strong antioxidant activity, which is attributed to its high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Oral administration of propolis extract to rabbits at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight significantly protected against histopathological and biochemical alterations induced by gentamicin.
Conclusion: the present study demonstrated that commercial propolis is strong antioxidant and is effective for the prevention of gentamicin-induced renal damage in rabbits