Polyherbal renal tea extract shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in guinea pigs

Renal diseases pose a tremendous economic burden worldwide, and the only treatment options are renal transplantation and dialysis, which remain unaffordable to low-income people. This study evaluated the potential of polyherbal renal tea extract (RTE) as a remedy for kidney disease using a gentamicin-induced kidney damage model in guinea pigs. Polyherbal renal tea was purchased from the market and extracted with 70% ethanol. RTE phytochemicals were screened qualitatively and chemoprofiled by High-performance liquid chromatography. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies on RTE were carried out. To investigate the possible effects of RTE, groups of animals received either gentamicin intraperitoneally alone or in combination with oral administration of RTE (200, 600 or 1000 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. On day 15, the biochemical and renal markers of damage and inflammation were assessed. The RTE caused no significant changes in blood biochemistry or renal histomorphology, with LD₅₀ >5000 mg/kg. Significantly (p<0.001) reduced serum creatinine and urea levels were observed with RTE treatment when compared to the gentamicin-treated group. RTE also showed significantly (p<0.001) increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and reduced malondialdehyde, IL-6 and TNF-α levels as compared to the gentamicin-treated group. RTE protects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in guinea pigs through its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.