Influence of Withania somnifera on circadian rhythms of lipid peroxidation products and antioxidants in Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity

In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of Withania somnifera root (W. somnifera) powder, an indigenous medicinal herb used in ayurvedic traditional systems for over 3000 years in India, on the circadian variations of gentamicin (GEN) induced nephrotoxicity. The circadian characteristics of 24 h variations such as acrophase, amplitude and mesor of lipid peroxidation products [Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)] and antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were analyzed. Administration of GEN delayed TBARS (increased mesor) and advanced antioxidants (decreased mesor) acrophases. Treatment with W. somnifera alters these changes. Variations in amplitude and ‘r’ values were also found in between the nephrotoxic rats and other experimental groups. From this study, we conclude that W. somnifera would work in a dynamic way in modulating the temporal redox status by directly scavenging the radicals by enh...