Ensete superbum ameliorates renal dysfunction in experimental diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
Hyperglycemia mediated oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications like nephropathy. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of Ensete superbum seeds (ESSE) on renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.


METHODS
Glucose, HbA1c, total protein, albumin, renal function markers (urea, uric acid and creatinine), and lipid peroxidation levels were evaluated. Renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were examined along with renal histopathological study.


RESULTS
ESSE (400 mg/kg BW t) administration reduced glucose and HbA1c, and improved serum total protein and albumin in diabetic rats. ESSE in diabetic rats recorded decrement in renal function markers and renal lipid peroxidation products along with significant increment in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Renal morphological abnormalities of diabetic rats were markedly ameliorated by E. superbum.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the antioxidant effect of E. superbum could ameliorate oxidative stress and delay/prevent the progress of diabetic nephropathy in diabetes mellitus.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695581, Kerala, India.
M S
MS
Sreekutty
Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695581, Kerala, India.
S
S
Mini
Antioxidant; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic nephropathy; Ensete superbum Nephroprotection; Streptozotocin