Forskolin alleviates diabetic nephropathy via inhibition of aldose reductase and advanced glycation end products formation

Objectives: Various mechanisms including polyol pathway along with a complex integrating paradigm with Aldose reductase (AR) and advanced glycation end products (AGE) formation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Methods: The present study was aimed at investigating a well-known antioxidant, Forskolin for its therapeutic role in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats. The effect of Forskolin was investigated by assessing the key markers of kidney function along with the morphological changes in the kidney. Further, the effect of Forskolin on the formation of AGEs and AR inhibition and lipid peroxidation was compared with that of a standard AR inhibitor, fidarestat. Results: The results revealed that Coleus forskohlii methanolic extract and Forskolin significantly (P<0.05) decreased the blood glucose levels, urinary protein excretion, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in diabetic rats. Administration of Forskolin to diabetic rats decreased kidney lipid peroxides and nitrate levels along with decrease in AGEs formation. In addition, Forskolin was found to inhibit kidney AR activity. Conclusion: Thus, the results obtained in this study underline the potential of Forskolin as a possible therapeutic agent against diabetic complications such as nephropathy. *Correspondence to: Ciddi Veeresham, Professor of Pharmacy, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana, India 506009, E-mail: ciddiveereham@yahoo.co.in