Purpose: To investigate the reno-protective properties of Cinnamomum tamala against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits.

Methods: Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6) including Group-1 (normal saline), Group-2 (gentamicin, 80 mg/kg/day), Group-3 (C. tamala, 200 mg/kg/day) and Group-4 (gentamicin, 80 mg/kg/day and C. tamala, 200 mg/kg/day). Body weight, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, serum uric acid, urinary volume and urinary protein excretion were measured followed by histological examination.

Results: Gentamicin-treated animals showed significant renal damage as indicated by rise in blood urea nitrogen (54.18 ± 2.60 mg/dl), serum creatinine (4.02 ± 0.14 mg/dl), serum uric acid (2.34 ± 0.12 mg/dl), urinary proteins (3.86 ± 0.32 mg/dl) and decrease in creatinine clearance (0.76 ± 0.09ml/min), urinary volume (126.00 ± 9.09 ml) and body weight (10.80 ± 1.09 %). However, animals treated with gentamicin and C. tamala significantly protected rabbit kidney from structural and functional changes associated with gentamicin.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is apparent that concurrent administration of 200 mg/kg/day of C. tamala leaf extract and gentamicin effectively prevented gentamicin-induced renal damage.