Nephroprotective Potential of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn Extract against Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract Objective  This study was aimed at determining the nephroprotective potential of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn methanol extract (SME) against hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DNP) in adult Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods  Following STZ-induced diabetes, adult albino Wistar rats of either sex with serum glucose level more than 250 mg/dL were chosen and randomized into six groups ( n  = 6 rats per group) and received the treatment as follows: Group I: Normal nondiabetic (ND) rats received a single intraperitoneal dose of citrate buffer in the same volume as STZ and 1% (w/v) carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) per os (po), group II: diabetic (STZ) control rats received oral dosage of 1% (w/v) CMC, group III, IV and V: STZ + SME treated rats received a suspension of SME (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, po) in 1% (w/v) CMC, and group VI: STZ + MET treated rats received metformin (500 mg/kg, po) as suspension in 1% (w/v) CMC. From 28th day to the 56th day of STZ injection, SME and MET were given for 28 days in the form of freshly prepared suspension. The impact of STZ-induced DNP was analyzed through the estimation of body weight, serum glucose, and hemoglobin A1c levels, renal functional parameters, the serum lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, and analysis of renal histoarchitecture. Result  Diabetic (STZ) control rats showed significant alterations in body weight, serum glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels, renal functional parameters, the serum lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, and renal histoarchitecture in contrast to normal ND rats. SME and MET treatment significantly reduced hyperglycemia-induced enhanced lipid profile and oxidative stress, normalized renal functional parameters, and restored renal histoarchitecture by reducing vacuolar degeneration of renal tubules in contrast to diabetic (STZ) control rats. These findings were attributed to SME's efficacy in DNP. Conclusion  In STZ-sensitized diabetic rats, SME retarded the progress of nephropathy. The observed nephroprotective potential of SME is ascribed to its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant activities.