Nephroprotective action of Phoenix dactylifera in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity

We investigated the effect of an extract of the flesh and pits of dates [Phoenix dactylifera L (Arecaceae or Palmae)] on gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity in rats. The animals were given either the date flesh extract mixed with the food (50% w/w) or the pits extract mixed in the drinking water (2:1 w/v), and GM (80 mg kg-1 day-1 intramuscularly for 6 days) was injected during the last 6 days of treatment. Other groups of rats were given GM concomitantly with the date flesh extract or the date pits extract at the above doses. GM treatment significantly increased the plasma concentrations of creatinine and urea and induced a marked necrosis of the renal proximal tubules. The date flesh and pits were effective in significantly reducing the increases in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations induced by GM nephrotoxicity and ameliorating the proximal tubular damage. Antioxidant components in the date (e.g., melatonin, vitamin E, and ascorbic acid) were suggested to be the basis of the nephroprotection.