title: Dolichos biflorus Linn. ameliorates diabetic complications in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Horsegram (Dolichos biflorus Linn.) is a known antilithiatic, hypolipedemic and has free radical scavenging activity and increased production of reactive oxygen species play a role in pathophysiological mechanisms that trigger diabetic complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To see the effect of daily oral feeding of D.biflorous on nephropathy and retinopathy in streptozotocin (STZ) induced-diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 healthy rats were randomly grouped into controls, diabetic and diabetic on Dolichos. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (55 mg/kg) and animals were given prepared food and water ad libitum. Dolichos was orally given at 300 mg/kg/day to rats in diabetic on Dolichos group for next 30 days. Fasting blood glucose levels was monitored at beginning and at the end of the experiment while assessment of serum creatinine levels and histopathological study of kidney and retina was carried only at the end of the experiment. Statistical differences between groups were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by, Bonferroni test as posthoc test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated improvement in serum creatinine levels and reduced glomerular sclerosing and Bowman's space with interstitial alterations and significantly reduced renal hypertrophy in diabetic rat son Dolichos diabetic rats (P < 0.001). Retinal layers showed inconsistent improvement in the width of the neuronal layers and decreased vacuolization of plexiform layers and retinal vessel density.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  D. biflorus at doses of 300 mg/kg/day for 30 days resulted in gradual but significant decreased diabetic nephropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, SRH University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, SRH University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Brijesh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Purwar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, SRH University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Harsh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meena
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Integral Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Parth
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarthi
keywords: Diabetic nephropathy; Dolichos biflorus; diabetic retinopathy; experimental diabetes