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The present study was aimed at evaluating the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of root of Bauhinia variegata Linn. for antioxidant and nephroprotective effect in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The antioxidant activity of both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of root of Bauhinia variegata Linn. was carried out by in-vitro models such as scavenging of free radicals like 1,2-diphenyl1-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide and superoxide. Nephrotoxicity was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of gentamicin 100 mg/kg/day for eight days. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of root of Bauhinia variegata Linn. at dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. were concurrently given by oral route. Serum creatinine, serum urea, urine creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined on day 9. Histopathological study of kidney was also done. Both ethanolic and aqueous root extracts of Bauhinia variegata Linn. produced significant free radical scavenging activity. Both the extracts produced significant nephroprotective activity in Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity model as evident by decrease in elevated serum creatinine, serum urea, urine creatinine and BUN levels, which was further confirmed by histopathological study. Gentamicin induced glomerular congestion, blood vessel congestion, and epithelial desquamation, accumulation of inflammatory cells and necrosis of the kidney cells were found to be reduced in the groups receiving the root extract of Bauhinia variegata Linn. along with gentamicin. KEYWORDS