Effect of fig (Ficus carira) seed oil on nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats

Gentamicin (GM), a widely used antibiotic in treating bacterial infections in humans and animals, particularly aerobic gram-negative bacteria, exhibits limited clinical utility due to its severe renal toxicity. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of fig seed oil (FSO) against GM-induced nephrotoxicity. For this purpose, 32 Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (received physiological saline for 8 days intraperitoneally), FSO group (received FSO at a dose of 6 ml/kg/day by oral gavage for 8 days), GM group (received GM at 80 mg/kg/day by intraperitoneal injection for 8 days), and GM+ FSO group (GM was given together with 80 mg/kg/day/i.p and fig seed oil at a dose of 6 ml/kg/day by oral gavage for 8 days). Twenty-four hours after the completion of the experiment, blood samples and kidney tissues from all animals were collected. Serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride levels were measured using an autoanalyzer, while malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, kidney tissues were examined histopathologically. Biochemical analyses revealed significantly (p<0.05) decreased levels of sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, MDA, AOPP, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the GM+ FSO group compared to the GM group. Conversely, GSH levels were statistically increased (p<0.05) in the GM+ FSO group. Histopathological findings further demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the GM+ FSO group and the GM group. In conclusion, fig seed oil exhibits a substantial nephroprotective effect against GM-induced nephrotoxicity by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation. Although FSO shows potential as a viable agent for effective treatment approaches aimed at preventing drug-induced oxidative tissue damage and inflammation, further clinical studies are necessary to assess its efficacy and safety.