Aqueous Extract of Azadirachcta indica Protect Against Gentamicin-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Regulation of Lipid Peroxidation, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation but Enhances Apoptotic Markers

Background and Objective: Gentamicin administration caused oxidative stress in the liver, damaging the lipids, proteins and DNA in liver cells by producing reactive oxygen species. Thus, the possible effect of the aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (AAI) on gentamicin-induced liver injury was investigated. Materials and Methods: The study involves twenty adult male Wistar rats (housed in 4 separate plastic cages) such that a graded dosage of AAI was administered to the experimental group for 14 days (p.o.) before exposure to gentamicin toxicity (100 mg/kg) for one week. At the end of the study, comparisons of some markers of liver enzymes, antioxidant status and Inflammatory and apoptotic markers were made between the control, GEN and AAI-pretreated groups at p<0.05. Results: The gentamicin treatment caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in AST, ALP, Bilirubin, MDA, Catalase, Interleukin-1, Caspase-3, Bcl-2 as well as a significant decrease (p<0.05) in TNFα, BAX and SOD level. Pre-treatment with graded doses of AAI caused a significant increase in ALP, MDA, SOD, GPx, Bcl-2 and BAX, as well as a significant decrease (p<0.05) in AST, Bilirubin, CAT, Interlukin-1 and Caspase-3. There was an appreciable difference in the histoarchitecture of the liver of AAI pre-treated groups compared to the GEN. Conclusion: Hence, the extract has prophylactic potential against gentamicin-induced liver injury, although a risk profile of liver apoptosis is not unlikely on 200 mg AAI pre-treatment, as evidenced by the increase in Bcl-2 and BAX.