PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF ELEUSINE INDICA (PARAGIS PLANT) AGAINST GENTAMICIN INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS

Gentamicin is a widely used aminoglycoside antibiotic for the treatment of severe gram-negative bacterial infections; however, its clinical application is limited by its potential to induce nephrotoxicity through oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal tubular damage. This study investigated the nephroprotective potential of Eleusine indica (Paragis plant) extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. The whole plant of Eleusine indica was collected, authenticated, and extracted using aqueous extraction. Male Wistar rats (180–200 g) were randomly divided into eight experimental groups, including normal control, gentamicin-treated negative control, pre-treatment, co-administration, and post-treatment groups with two different doses of the extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg). Gentamicin (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to induce nephrotoxicity. After the experimental period, biochemical, hematological, oxidative stress, and histopathological parameters were evaluated. Results indicated that treatment with Eleusine indica extract improved antioxidant status by modulating catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in treated groups compared to the negative control. The extract also influenced electrolyte balance, renal function markers (urea and creatinine), and lipid profiles. Group 5, 6 and 8 showed improvements in biochemical parameters, including increases in HDL levels and reductions in triglycerides. Liver enzyme markers and hematological parameters showed minimal alterations across the groups, indicating relative systemic safety of the extract. Overall, the findings suggest that Eleusine indica (Paragis plant) possesses antioxidant and protective properties that may mitigate gentamicin-induced renal oxidative stress and associated biochemical alterations. These results support the potential use of Eleusine indica as a natural nephroprotective agent. However, further studies are required to elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its therapeutic potential in clinical settings.