Antidiabetic and Nephroprotective Activity of Hedychium spicatum in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Objective: Diabetic Nephropathy, an end-stage renal disease clinically manifested as progressively increased proteinuria accompanied by increased blood pressure.Histologically, Diabetic Nephropathy is characterised by diffuse or nodular glomerulosclerosis, tubuleinterstitial fibrosis and atrophy.The aim of this study was to identify either the ethanolic extract posses an antidiabetic activity and ameliorate effect on diabetes-induced nephropathy or not.Material and method: In-vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory assay and oral glucose tolerance tests were carried out before the induction of diabetes.Fasting blood glucose was measured at different time intervals to check the hyperglycaemic state.On the 40 th day of the study, the urine sample was collected from metabolic cages and venous blood samples were obtained and used for determination of various biochemical parameters.In the end, histopathological studies were carried for checking the preventative effect on kidneys.Result: The In-Vitro α-Amylase inhibitory assay results revealed that the ethanolic extracts were found to have significant inhibitory potential as compared to acarbose.Further the OGTT, Serum BUN, creatine, lipid peroxidation, lipid profile except High Density Lipoprotein-C and anti-oxidant were found to be decreased in a dose-dependent manner, marked effect in Group VII (50% extract of 100 mg/kg and 50% of standard dose).In histopathology, Group VI and VII prevented degeneration of nephrons in the kidney and maintained the normal cellular size of nephrons.Conclusion: The ethanolic extract posses a significant activity to lower the blood glucose level as well protect the renal damage.