Vol 71, No 1 (2012)
Original article
Published online: 2012-04-19
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Effects of ficus exasperata vahl. (moraceae) leaf aqueous extract on the renal function of streptozotocin-treated rats
S.O. Adewole, S.K. Ojo, T.K. Adenowo, A.A. Salako, T. Naicker, J.A.O. Ojewole
Folia Morphol 2012;71(1):1-9.
Vol 71, No 1 (2012)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Published online: 2012-04-19
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible reno-protective effect of Ficus exasperata leaf aqueous extract (FEE) in a rat experimental paradigm of diabetes mellitus. Forty Wistar rats (weighing 200–230 g) were divided into four (A, B, C, and D) groups, each group consisting of 10 rats. Group A rats served as ‘control’ animals and received citrate buffer (pH 6.3) solution in quantities equivalent
to intraperitoneally-administered volumes of streptozotocin (STZ) and FEE.
Diabetes mellitus was induced in Groups B and C rats by intraperitoneal injections of STZ (75 mg/kg). Group C rats were additionally treated with FEE (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) 4 weeks post STZ injections, for 4 consecutive weeks. Group D rats received FEE (100 mg/kg/day p.o.) only for 4 weeks. Post-euthanisation, kidney
tissues were excised for histopathological evaluation and processed for light microscopy.
Plasma malondialdehyde and tissue nitric oxide were determined. Serum
creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, nitrite, and albumin concentrations were
measured for the evaluation of renal function. The diabetic rats significantly lost
more weight and their blood glucose levels were significantly elevated as compared
to the ‘control’ group of animals. Renal dysfunction was evidenced by kidney hypertrophy, decreased renal blood flow, and increased serum creatinine and nitrite concentrations. Furthermore, vascular dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased carotid blood flow, was observed in the diabetic rats. FEE treatment positively
ameliorated the alterations in the biochemical variables in the STZ + FEE-treated rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that FEE treatment ameliorates STZ-induced
nephrotoxicity.
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible reno-protective effect of Ficus exasperata leaf aqueous extract (FEE) in a rat experimental paradigm of diabetes mellitus. Forty Wistar rats (weighing 200–230 g) were divided into four (A, B, C, and D) groups, each group consisting of 10 rats. Group A rats served as ‘control’ animals and received citrate buffer (pH 6.3) solution in quantities equivalent
to intraperitoneally-administered volumes of streptozotocin (STZ) and FEE.
Diabetes mellitus was induced in Groups B and C rats by intraperitoneal injections of STZ (75 mg/kg). Group C rats were additionally treated with FEE (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) 4 weeks post STZ injections, for 4 consecutive weeks. Group D rats received FEE (100 mg/kg/day p.o.) only for 4 weeks. Post-euthanisation, kidney
tissues were excised for histopathological evaluation and processed for light microscopy.
Plasma malondialdehyde and tissue nitric oxide were determined. Serum
creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, nitrite, and albumin concentrations were
measured for the evaluation of renal function. The diabetic rats significantly lost
more weight and their blood glucose levels were significantly elevated as compared
to the ‘control’ group of animals. Renal dysfunction was evidenced by kidney hypertrophy, decreased renal blood flow, and increased serum creatinine and nitrite concentrations. Furthermore, vascular dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased carotid blood flow, was observed in the diabetic rats. FEE treatment positively
ameliorated the alterations in the biochemical variables in the STZ + FEE-treated rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that FEE treatment ameliorates STZ-induced
nephrotoxicity.
Keywords
kidney; creatinine; blood urea nitrogen; nitrite; albumin; streptozotocin; diabetes mellitus
Title
Effects of ficus exasperata vahl. (moraceae) leaf aqueous extract on the renal function of streptozotocin-treated rats
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 71, No 1 (2012)
Article type
Original article
Pages
1-9
Published online
2012-04-19
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2012;71(1):1-9.
Keywords
kidney
creatinine
blood urea nitrogen
nitrite
albumin
streptozotocin
diabetes mellitus
Authors
S.O. Adewole
S.K. Ojo
T.K. Adenowo
A.A. Salako
T. Naicker
J.A.O. Ojewole