Gentamicin (GM) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is effective against Gram-negative microorganisms. However, this antibiotic produce nephrotoxicity. Stress oxidative has an important role in developing nephrotoxicity. Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. (SL) is medicinal plant widely used in Iranian folk medicine. SL have strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in various oxidative stress conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of SL on GMinduced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control; GM; GM+SL 1; GM+SL 2 and SL, the experimental period was 10 days. Nephrotoxicity was biochemically and histologically evaluated. The concentrations of creatinine, urea in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxide hydrogen (H2O2) in kidney tissue were determined. Moreover, histological examination was performed. The animals treated with gentamicin showed a significantly higher serum urea, creatinine, MDA and H2O2 level and lower SOD activity. However, coadministration of a high dose of SL 1 (200 mg/kg) with GM, produced amelioration in biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in serum. Histomorphological examination showed necrosis and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells in the renal cortex of GM treated kidneys, while, simultaneous administration of a high dose of SL and GM, reduced histological damages. These data suggest that treatment with SL extract may be helpful to reduce gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity
