Potential Renal Protective effects of Matricaria Chamomilla Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background and aim: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with significant burden on the patient, his/her family and overall healthcare system due to its complications. Herbs of medicinal use played an important role in many diseases and chamomile is one of these herbs. The current worm aimed to investigate potential ameliorative effects of chamomile against diabetic changes in rat model. Methodology: Fourty rats were used in the current work and divided into four equal groups. The first (negative control) received nothing except water; the second received chamomile extract in a similar dose in the fourth group (300mg/kg/bodyweight/day). The third group included diabetic rats and the fourth one included diabetic rat who received chamomile extract after induction of diabetes. Rats completed the study duration (6 weeks). Then blood samples were collected for laboratory investigations and after sacrificing, the pancreatic and renal tissues were fixed and prepared for microscopical examination. Results:  The use of chamomile was associated with significant reduction of diabetic indices (serum glucose, insulin and glycated hemoglobin) and significant improvement in renal function markers (blood urea and creatinine). However, this did not reach the normal values. The diabetic groups showed histological alterations of renal and pancreatic tissues, mainly necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration. The changes which reduced with the use of chamomile. Conclusion: Chamomile (300mg/kg/bodyweight daily) have ameliorating effects against diabetic changes in a rat model. This was evident on biochemical and histopathological levels.