Thymol exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic protective effects against gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats

 The renoprotective effect of thymol (TML) was investigated in rats challenged with gentamicin (GN). Rats received TML (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 15 days, and GN (80 mg/kg/day, i.p.) starting from the 8[sup.th] day. TML significantly lowered serum creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and renal malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-[ALPHA], interleukin-18, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in GN-challenged rats. In addition, TML caused a significant increment of renal total antioxidant capacity in rats received GN. Moreover, TML significantly ameliorated GN-induced histopathological kidney tissue injury, and significantly decreased nuclear factor-[KAPPA]B p65 and kidney injury molecule-1 expressions in kidneys of GN-challenged rats. It was concluded that TML guarded against CN-induced nephrotoxicity in rats via inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Keywords: thymol, gentamicin, kidney, rats