Curcumin mitigates gentamicin induced-renal and cardiac toxicity via modulation of Keap1/Nrf2, NF-B/iNOS and Bcl-2/BAX pathways

Gentamicin (GEN) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat gram-negative bacterial infections. Our study aimed to explore curcumin's (CMN) protective role against GEN-induced renal and cardiac toxicity. Rats were randomly classified into 4 equal groups; Control (cont), GEN (100 mg/kg b.wt, i.p.) for seven days, CMN (200 mg/kg b.wt, orally) for 21 days, and CMN + GEN groups. GEN caused renal and cardiac dysfunctions; increased urea, creatinine, uric acid, cystatin C, CK-MB, LDH, and troponin I serum levels. MDA level was elevated significantly while activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH level were reduced significantly in renal and cardiac tissues. GEN-intoxicated rats showed up-regulation of NF-kappa B, IL-1 beta, Keap1, HMOX1, and BAX with down-regulation of Nrf2, and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in renal and cardiac tissues. Also, GEN-induced up-regulation of renal mRNA expression of KIM-1, NGAL, and intermediate filament proteins [desmin, nestin, and vimentin] as well cardiac gene expression of cMyBP-C and H-FABP. GEN-induced toxicity was significantly attenuated by CMN co -treatment as CMN improved renal and cardiac biomarkers, reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and reversed alterations in mRNA expression of all tested renal and cardiac genes. These outcomes indicated that CMN could protect renal and cardiac tissues against GEN-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.