Protective effects of date palm pollen extract on gentamicin-induced hepatotoxicity

Gentamicin, as an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is used to treat gram-negative bacterial infections. But despite its beneficial effects, gentamicin has side effects such as hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of date palm pollen (DPP) hydroalcoholic extract against gentamicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

In present study the animals were divided into 5 groups, including control, sham, gentamicin and the two groups of gentamicin plus DPP extract at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. The plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes were measured to assess hepatic functional damages. Also, antioxidant enzymes activity including catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) of the liver tissue sample were measured. Further, a tissue sample was fixed in 10% formaldehyde for hematoxylin and eosin staining and histopathological study. In the end of experiment, the animals were euthanized by deep anesthesia.

Gentamicin significantly increased the levels of plasma AST and ALT enzymes, caused histopathological damages, decreased CAT and SOD enzymes as well as FRAP in the liver tissue in comparison to the sham group. The concomitant administration of DPP hydroalcoholic extract and gentamicin with both examined doses could relatively improve these parameters, so that some parameters have not significant difference with the sham group.

It can be concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of DPP reduces histopathological damages, oxidative stress as well as hepatic enzymes following their increase by gentamicin.