The aim of present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of an ethanolic stem bark extract of Terminalia ivorensis on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups of animals received either gentamicin alone or in combination with 100, 300 or 1000 mg/kg of extract for a period of 14 days. On the 15th day, the modulatory effect of Terminalia ivorensis was examined by assessing biochemical and renal markers of hepatic and renal damage. Markers of oxidative injury including reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidation were assessed. Histology of the kidneys and the liver were also processed for analysis. The extract at a dose of 100-1000 mg/kg significantly reduced elevations in creatinine, urea and serum enzymes evoked by gentamicin. Additionally, the low levels of reduced glutathione and the antioxidant enzymes from the gentamicin treatment were significantly improved in the extract-treated animals. The results correlated well with the histopathological findings as the extract reversed the severe architectural distortions of the kidneys and liver caused by gentamycin. We conclude from the study that, the ethanolic stem bark extract of Terminalia ivorensis protects the liver and the kidneys against gentamicin-induced renal and hepatic damage.
Key words: renal damage, hepatic damage, gentamicin, Terminalia ivorensis
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