Anita Kotwani and Tapan Behl
University of Delhi, India
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Diabetes Metab
Statement of the Problem: Poor glycemic control, accumulation of oxidative stress and inflammation play a significant role in the development of diabetic-nephropathy (DN). To develop functional food as alternative/natural medicine, the present study investigated the effect of Prunus amygdalus (sweet almond) in streptozotocin-induced DN in rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 45mg/kg, i.p.). STZ-diabetic rats (eight animals/ group) were daily treated orally (for 12 weeks) with hydroalcholic seed extract of Prunus amygdalus (40, 60 or 125mg/kg) or standard anti-diabetic drug, glibenclamide (10mg/kg). Blood glucose, body weight and urine volume were measured weekly. At 12 weeks, serum creatinine (SC), serum cystatin C (SCC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total urinary protein (UP) levels; oxidative biomarkers-LPO, GSH, SOD and catalase; inflammatory biomarkers-IL-1β and TNF-α were measured. Histopathological studies of kidneys were done. Data was analyzed using one-way repeated measure ANOVA followed by Mann-Whitney test. Results: Prunus amygdalus significantly decreased blood glucose (p<0.001) in dose-dependent manner in diabetic rats. Chronic diabetic model of 12 weeks produced DN as was evident by significant increase in SC, SCC, BUN and total UP levels; significant increase in LPO, decrease in GSH, SOD and catalase, and significant increase in IL-1β and TNF-α level. Prunus amygdalus in all the three doses significantly reduced (p<0.001) SC, SCC, BUN and total UP levels but the level was still higher than control rats. BUN level was statistically equal to control rats. The levels of LPO, GSH, T-AOC oxidative biomarkers and inflammatory biomarker, TNF-α studied were comparable to values in control rats. Though SOD, catalase and IL-1β levels were decreased but still higher than control rats (p<0.01). No histopathological changes were seen in the diabetic kidney. Conclusion & Significance: Present findings provide evidence in experimental diabetic nephropathy that Prunus amygdalus seed extract has potential to be used as adjuvant for treatment of DN. anitakotwani@gmail.com
