Jayesh B. Dhodi

Attenuation of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by Punica granatum Linn. leaves extract

With an objective to develop Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, the present study investigated the protective effects of methanolic extract of Punica granatum leaves (MPGL) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy has become a leading cause of end stage renal failure worldwide. P. granatum, due to its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities may retard the progression of diabetic nephropathy. In this study, diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats. STZ-diabetic rats were treated with oral doses of MPGL (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, body and kidney weight and blood glucose levels were determined. Serum and urine parameters were investigated. Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxide levels were determined in the kidney along with histopathological examination of the same. MPGL significantly increased body weight, lowered blood glucose levels and ameliorated kidney hypertrophy index in the STZ-diabetic rats. The extract also decreased the levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, triglycerides, advanced glycation end products and albumin in serum and urine, respectively. MPGL significantly increased the antioxidant parameters in the kidney. Histological evaluation revealed that MPGL treated STZ-diabetic rats demonstrated reduced vacuolar degeneration of tubules; periodic acid Schiff base (PAS) positivity staining intensity in glomeruli and basement membrane thickening. Present findings provide experimental evidence that MPGL has potential antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and anti-glycation activities which might be helpful in slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Carissa carandas Linn. fruit extract ameliorates gentamicin–induced nephrotoxicity in rats via attenuation of oxidative stress

Abstract Objective To elucidate the mechanism of action of methanolic extract of Carissa carandas fruits (MCCF) in attenuation of diabetic nephropathy using gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity model. Methods Extract was daily administered to Sprague Dawley rats at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for 8 days along with intramuscular injection of gentamicin (80 mg/kg). After completion of the study, serum was analyzed for blood urea nitrogen, albumin and creatinine; urine (24 h) was analyzed for albumin and creatinine. Kidney was evaluated for its biochemical and morphological changes. Results Extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly normalized the nephrotoxic biomarkers in serum and urine and increased the kidney antioxidant activities which were altered due to gentamicin toxicity. The histological findings reveal that MCCF was capable of protecting the kidney against gentamicin toxicity. Conclusions Extract ameliorated oxidative stress generated by gentamicin administration, which is one of the mechanisms for its preventive action against diabetic nephropathy.