Introduction and Aim: Vancomycin is the first-line antibiotic in treatment of many infections. Its nephrotoxicity is the most common side effect. Some antioxidants were reported to overcome such toxicity. Ginger was recorded to be one of such agents, moreover, Ginger Nanoparticles were found to have a better absorption and distribution especially when carried on nanocarrier. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the potential protective effects of Chitosan coated Ginger Nanoparticles and Ginger against Vancomycin-induced renal cortex toxicity in rats.
Material and Methods: 60 healthy adult male albino rats were randomized into six groups, ten animals each. Group I (Control), Group II (received intragastric Ginger extract), Group III (received intragastric Chitosan coated Ginger Nanoparticles), Group IV (received I.P injection of Vancomycin), Group V (received I.P injection of Vancomycin and intragastric Ginger extract), Group VI (received Vancomycin and intragastric Chitosan coated Ginger Nanoparticles). After 7 days, animals were sacrificed, kidneys were extracted and specimens were processed for histological technique and evaluation of the mean histological score; immunohistochemical techniques and evaluation of mean optical density of immunoreactions.
Results: Group IV revealed that 80% of animals had severe histopathological changes in the proximal convoluted tubules with statistically significant increase in the mean histological score, compared to control group. There was necrosis and desquamation of their cells. Some tubular lumens were dilated while others were obstructed by casts from desquamated cells. There was statistically significant increase in the mean optical density of Anti-Caspase 3 and Anti-iNOS immunostainning, compared to control group. Group V had significant decrease in the mean histological score compared to Group IV, but, was significantly increased compared to control. Group VI revealed significant decrease in that score, compared to both Group IV and Group VI.
Conclusion: Chitosan coated Ginger Nanoparticles and Ginger extract improved vancomycin-induced renal cortex toxicity. However, Ginger Nanoparticles showed better results.