EXPLORATION OF PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS BARK IN STZ-INDUCED EARLY DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY MODEL IN RATS

Alstonia scholaris (fam. Apocynaceae) is an indigenous plant used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes and associated complications. However the nephroprotective potential of the plant is not scientifically evaluated. Objective of the present was to investigate renal protective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of A. scholaris bark (HEAS) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced early diabetic nephropathy in rats and to focus on its possible mechanism of action. Experimental diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Animals were divided in five groups (n=6) and treated with 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg HEAS for 4 weeks. At the end of study period, fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, total proteins, serum albumin, serum insulin and glycosylated haemoglobin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and MDA in kidney were evaluated. Urine was analyzed for albumin, total proteins and creatinine clearance. Kidney and pancreas were subjected for histopathology. Significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, creatinine, albumin, BUN, total proteins and urinary total proteins was observed. Significant improvement in serum insulin, glycosylated Hb, oxidative stress parameters of kidney including superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione has been observed in HEAS treated diabetic rats. Histopathology of kidney and pancreatic tissues showed structural improvement. Present study has revealed that HEAS prevented the progression of diabetic nephropathy in STZ-diabetic rats by improving the disturbed glucose homeostasis and by amelioration of renal oxidative stress.