The Effect of Naringenin and Ceftriaxone on a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-pyelonephritis activity of naringenin alone or combined with ceftriaxone in a rat model. In all, 35 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. Groups 2 – 5 underwent surgery and were infected with E. coli to induce pyelonephritis. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with normal saline and groups 3, 4, and 5 received ceftriaxone (60 mg/kg), naringenin (20 mg/kg), and ceftriaxone+naringenin, respectively for 1 week. Subsequently, the disc diffusion method and bacterial colony counting were performed. After six weeks, MDA and GSH levels, TOS, TAC, activities of GPx, CAT and SOD, and histopathological analyses were evaluated in the kidneys. A week after the ceftriaxone treatment and two weeks after the naringenin exposure, negative urinary bacterial colonies were observed. The combination of these drugs caused negative colonies during the first week. Naringenin alone or in combination with ceftriaxone significantly decreased renal MDAand TOS but increased TAC, GSH and activities of GPx, CAT and SOD compared with the pyelonephritic group. This combination revealed histopathological changes in the kidneys. Our data suggest synergism between naringenin and ceftriaxone in alleviating pyelonephritis-induced complications.