Evaluation of the antioxidant and protective effects of <i>Dioscorea villosa</i> extracts on gentamicin-induced kidney damage in albino wistar rats

Antioxidants can be effective in the prevention of oxidative stress. The study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effects of Dioscorea villosa extracts on gentamicin-induced kidney damage in albino wistar rats. A total of 114 albino rats were divided into 19 groups of 6 rats each, categorized into four subgroups (A-D, E-H, I-L, M-P) and control groups (Q, R, S). Kidney damage was induced in all groups except the normal control (Q) by administering 100 mg/kg of gentamicin intraperitoneally. Groups A-D received 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg of deionized water leaf extract (DWL), while groups E-H received the same doses of deionized water root extract (DWR). Groups I-L were given diethyl ether leaf extract (DER) in similar doses, and groups M-P received diethyl ether root extract (DEL). Group Q received normal saline, group R (negative control) also received normal saline, and group S (positive control) was given 25 mg/kg of silymarin. All treatments were administered orally for 14 days. Administration of the extract significantly increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels at all doses compared to the untreated group. In terms of catalase activity, there was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups treated with 800 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of DWL and DWR extracts. Assessment of glutathione reductase (GR) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) activity after treatment showed a dose-dependent increase in the groups treated with DWL, DWR, DEL, and DER extracts. The extracts helped in mitigation of oxidative damage, and may function as alternative remedies to conventional therapeutic approaches.