Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of date pollen in the gentamicin-induced renal toxicity

Introduction: Aminoglycoside antibiotics including gentamicin are used for treatment of gram-negative bacteria-induced infections; however, gentamicin has severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. Date palm pollen (DPP), as a herbal medicine is believed to have some antiinflammatory and antioxidative stress effects. In this study the protective effect of DPP extract were evaluated after its phytochemical analysis on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: Wistar rats allocated into five groups including control, sham, gentamicin and two groups that received gentamicin along with DPP extract (200 or 400 mg/kg). Plasma urea and creatinine concentrations were measured and oxidative stress was assessed by evaluating MDA, FRAP, CAT and SOD. NF-κB, TNF-α and ICAM-1 gene expression levels along with the leukocyte infiltration were measured for evaluating inflammation. Histopathological damages were also measured by studying H E-stained tissue sections. Results: The gentamicin receiving group had increased plasma urea and creatinine, increased MDA, and decreased FRAP, CAT and SOD activities in the kidney. The gentamicin administration also increased the TNF-α, NF-κB and ICAM-1 gene expression, infiltration of leukocytes and tissue damages in the kidney. DPP extract caused a partial or complete recovery of all these damages. Conclusion: In conclusion, DPP extract protects the kidney against the side effects of gentamicin and improves its function and histopathological damages. The underlying mechanism is likely to decrease the NF-κB gene expression and consequently reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine genes expression, infiltration of leukocytes and oxidative stress. The DPP extract also increased the cellular antioxidant reserves.