Protective potential of Aronia melanocarpa L. berry extract in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: biochemical, oxidative stress, histopathological, and immunohistochemical evaluation

Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity represents a major clinical limitation primarily mediated by oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways, prompting growing interest in protective natural antioxidants. Aronia melanocarpa L. berry extract is a rich source of bioactive polyphenols with potent cytoprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Aronia melanocarpa L. berry extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by evaluating biochemical, oxidative stress, histopathological, and immunohistochemical parameters. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: C (control, saline), GEN (100 mg/kg, IP), GEN + AME (100 mg/kg GEN + 200 mg/kg AME), and AME (200 mg/kg, orally). Following the 7-day experimental period, serum biochemical markers (BUN, urea, creatinine, uric acid), antioxidant enzyme levels (GPx, SOD, CAT), and systemic oxidant and oxidative stress status (MDA, TAS, TOS, OSI) were quantified. Additionally, renal tissues were evaluated for histopathological alterations and the immunohistochemical expression of TNF-α, HSP 27, and Caspase-3. HPLC-DAD analysis characterized AME as a rich source of phenolics (35.11 mg/g), primarily chlorogenic acid (16.86 mg/g) and rutin (7.73 mg/g). Gentamicin administration significantly impaired renal function (elevated BUN and creatinine, p < 0.05) and induced robust oxidative stress (increased MDA, TOS, and OSI, p < 0.0001; decreased GPx, p < 0.0001, and SOD, p = 0.0029). AME treatment significantly attenuated these biochemical alterations (p < 0.05), partially restored GPx levels (p = 0.0053), normalized CAT levels (p = 0.0003), and reduced gentamicin-induced elevations in MDA (p < 0.0001), TOS (p = 0.0013), and OSI (p < 0.0001). Standardized Aronia melanocarpa extract exhibits potent nephroprotective effects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. This protection is mediated through the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis (p < 0.05), likely due to the extract’s high concentrations of chlorogenic acid and rutin.