Protective effect of ethanolic extract of Elettaria Cardamomum against gentamicin hepato-renal toxicity in male albino rats

A.M. Al-Johani, N.S. Al-Sowayan

Department of Biology, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. nsaoiean@qu.edu.sa

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• Biology
• Plant biology

OBJECTIVE: Cardamom is one of the spices containing a wide range of antioxidants and is used in medicinal preparations. Thus, in this study, we want to explore the protective effect of ethanolic cardamom extract on the liver-kidney toxicity caused by gentamicin in male albino rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was applied to twenty-eight male albino rats divided randomly into four groups. The control group was given 1 ml/kg of saline orally. The gentamicin (GM) group was given a daily 80 mg/kg i.p of GM for seven days. Another group was given 100 or 200 mg/kg b.wt. p.o. ethanolic extract of Elettaria Cardamomum (EC) for seven days. Blood and liver-kidney samples were taken after the end of the study for analyses to test for liver-kidney function and lipid profile (LP).

RESULTS: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin activities were higher in the GM group than in the control group. However, the groups’ differences in globulin levels and total protein (TP) were not statistically significant. Compared to the control group, the albumin level in the gentamicin group was considerably lower. On the other hand, creatinine and urea levels, lipid, serum total cholesterol levels, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly increased in the gentamicin group but decreased in the control group and co-treated groups with gentamicin and ethanolic extract EC. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly dropped, while the control group showed high levels of lipid and serum total cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONS: EC ethanolic extract shields the liver-kidney against GM harmful effects in male rats. Recent research demonstrated that the effects of the plant cardamom were the same at both low-high doses. The phenolic elements in EC may be responsible for this protective effect.

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