Renoprotective effect of flavonoids in type-2 diabetes mediated-nephropathy in Wistar rats

Abstract

A major problem arising from diabetes is diabetic nephropathy (DN), a fatal consequence of uncontrolled hyperglycemia characterized by progressive kidney damage caused by diabetes. Current antidiabetic therapies often exhibit side effects and fail to effectively limit the growth and advancement of diabetes. This study investigated the potential nephroprotective effects of flavonoid-rich Emblica officinalis fruit extract (EOFE) and hesperidin (HSD), alone and in combination, in a diabetic rodent model. After two weeks on the high-fat diet, the rats were administered a sub-diabetogenic dosage of streptozotocin to induce DN. The diabetic rats were given EOFE, low dose HSD (LDH), high dose HSD (HDH), metformin and LDH plus EOFE. Key parameters assessed included serum glucose, antioxidant levels, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, proteinuria, and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6). DN biomarkers were notably elevated in untreated diabetic rats but attenuated in treatment groups, as confirmed by histopathological analysis. Notably, combined treatment with EOFE and LDH normalized nephropathic biomarkers and histopathological alterations, demonstrating effective nephroprotective activity. These findings suggest that co-administration of EOFE and LDH is a promising therapeutic strategy for managing DN, potentially addressing the limitations of current antidiabetic treatments.