Agmatine ameliorates diabetes type 2-induced nephropathy in rats

Objective:To assess the nephroprotective potential of agmatine in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.Methods:A single dose of streptozotocin(40 mg/kg)coupled with a fructose diet induced diabetes in Wistar rats.Agmatine(40 and 80 mg/kg)was administered to rats for 12 weeks.The body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured weekly.Insulin level,urine output,total protein,albumin,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,and cystatin-C were also determined at the end of the experiment.Furthermore,superoxide dismutase,glutathione,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were evaluated in kidney tissue.Histopathological study was also performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results:Agmatine at both doses significantly increased final body weight,and lowered fasting blood glucose,urine output,insulin,total protein,albumin,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,and cystatin-C levels compared with the diabetic group(P<0.05).Inflammatory markers and antioxidant effect were significantly improved in agmatine-treated rats.Moreover,the histopathological changes in renal structure were ameliorated by agmatine treatment.Conclusions:Agmatine alleviates diabetic nephropathy by improving renal functions and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.The molecular mechanisms of its nephroprotective actions need to be investigated in future study.

The natural sources,extraction,and nephroprotective function of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid:a review

Oleanolic acid(OA)and ursolic acid(UA)are commonly present in the cuticular wax of many edible fruits and medicinal herbs.OA and UA belong to the group of bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoids,exhibiting a wide range of beneficial effects including protection for the kidneys,liver,heart,gastrointestinal tract,and spinal cord.Additionally,OA and UA exhibit antioxidant,anti-ferroptotic,anti-apoptotic,anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor,anti-viral,anti-diabetic,anti-microbial,anti-parasitic,analgesic,wound-healing,hypolipidemic,and hypoglycemic properties,often without notable side effects.Due to the extensive array of their positive functions,it is not feasible to thoroughly cover all aspects in this review.Therefore,the primary focus lies on reviewing the natural sources,extraction,and nephroprotective properties of OA and UA.To summarize,current literatures highlight the nephroprotective mechanisms of OA and UA,primarily involving inhibiting oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress,glycative stress,dyslipidemia,inflammation,apoptosis,pyroptosis,and renal fibrosis,promoting diuresis,as well as fine-tuning autophagy.

Magnesium Enhances the Hepatorenal Protective Effects of Lippia multiflora Aqueous Leaves Extract in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of the aqueous extract of Lippia multiflora supplemented with magnesium on some biochemical markers of the kidneys and liver in type 2 diabetic rats. Method: 7 groups of 4 STZ-diabetic rats received separately orally Glucophage® (Glu 10 mg/kg), the plant extract (LiMAE 200 - 600 mg/kg) and the plant extract supplemented with magnesium (LiMAE-Mg 200 - 600 mg/kg). After a daily treatment of 21 days, serum biochemical parameters were assayed in 16 hr-fasted rats. Results: Diabetes caused a significant (p Conclusion: The addition of magnesium to the extract of Lippia multiflora caused a greater reduction in the levels of urea, creatinine, ALT and AST increased in STZ-diabetic rats. Magnesium would therefore enhance the nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of Lippia multiflora in diabetic rats.

Nephroprotective Effect of <i>Nigella Sativa</i>and <i>Matricaria Chamomilla</i>in Cisplatin Induced Renal Injury—Supportive Treatments in Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity

Nigella sativa and Matricaria chamomilla are extensively consumed as tea or tonic. Despite their widespread use as a home remedy, relatively few trials evaluated their benefits in nephroprotection. Hence, this study evaluates the nephroprotective effects of supportive treatments (N. sativa, M. chamomilla and vitamin E) in cisplatin nephrotoxicity rat model. Eighty rats divided into 10 groups, of 8 animals each. The first group (G1) injected with saline intra-pretoneal (i.p). G2 injected with 5 mg/kg cisplatin i.p on zero day of experiment and repeated 4 times, with 5 days free interval. G3-G10 received daily supportive treatments, started 5 days before the experiment (–5day). Concomitantly G4, G6, G8 and G10 injected with 5 mg/kg cisplatin i.p like G2. On day sixteen, animal scarified, serum and/or kidney tissue were used to determine kidney function tests (serum urea, creatinine, NAG, β-gal), oxidative stress indices (NO, LPO), antioxidant activities (SOD), sulphur compounds (GGT, GSH, total thiols ), apoptotic indices (cathepsin D, DNA fragmentation), two minerals (Ca2+ and zn2+). Cisplatin caused marked elevation in serum GGT that reduced signifi-cantly in group received M. chamomilla with cisplatin (P < 0.001). There is a correlation between GGT and NAG in cisplatin group (r = 0.731 p < 0.05) that may suggest one of possible mechanisms of renal injury by cisplatin. M. chamomilla followed by N. sativa and vitamin E improved the biochemical and pathological renal injury, as determined by increasing the body weight, normalizing the kidney functions, decreasing the oxidative stress markers, improving the apoptotic markers, minimizing the pathological changes. Hence, N. sativa and M. chamomilla will be a promising nephroprotective agents for reducing cisplatin nephrotoxicity, most probably, by antioxidants effects and inhibition GGT production, respectively.

Pedalium murex Linn.:An overview of its phytopharmacological aspects

Pedalium murex Linn(family:Pedaliaceae)(P.murex) commonly known as Large Caltrops and Gokhru(India) is a shrub found in the Southern part.Deccan region of India and in some parts of Ceylon.Different parts of the plant are used to treat various ailments like,cough,cold and as an antiseptic.Interestingly.P.murex is reported traditionally to have an excellent cure in patients with reproductive disorders which are mainly impotency in men.nocturnal emissions,gonorrhoea as well as leucorrhoea in women.The plant has also benifiled in complications like urinary track disorder as well as gastro intestinal tract disorders.Phytochemically the plant is popular for the presence of a considerable amount of diosgenin and vanillin which are regarded as an important source and useful starting materials for synthesizing steroidal contraceptive drugs and isatin alkaloids.Other phytochemicals reported in the plant includes quercetin.ursolic acid,caffeic acid,amino acids(glycine,histidine,tyrosine,threonine,aspartie acid and glutamic acid) and various classes of fatty acids(triacontanoic acid,nonacosane.tritriacontane.tetratriacontanyl and heptatriacontan-4-one).Pharmacologically,the plant have been investigated for antiulcerogenic. nephroprotective.hypolipidemic,aphrodisiac,antioxidant,antimicrobial and insecticidal activities.From all these reports it can be concluded that the plant were found to have a better profile with potential natural source for the treatment of various range of either acute or chronic disease.The overall database of our review article was collected from the scientific sources in regards with all the information ol the research article for P.murex published so far.

Prevention of Nephropathy by Some Natural Sources of Antioxidants

Nephrotoxicity is one of the most common kidney problems and occurs when the body is exposed to a drug or toxin. Natural sources of antioxidants may serve as a vital source of potentially useful new compounds for the development of an effective therapy to combat a variety of kidney problems. Natural antioxidants have a variety of biochemical actions such as inhibition of reactive oxygen species production, scavenging of free radicals. The present review aims to summarize the recent articles which studied some of the nephrotoxic agents, and alleviation of nephrotoxicity using of some natural products possessing antioxidant properties. Our review shows the oxidative damage and renal disorders induced in human and experimental animals by nephrotoxic agents such as gentamicin, alcohol, nicotine, adenine, glycerol, ethylene glycol, sodium nitrite, mercuric chloride, AlCl3, lead acetate, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), furosemide, carbendazim, diazinon, heat stress, and &gamma;-radiation. Also, nephrotic disorders caused in diabetic rats, patients, cirrhotic ascetic patients, and ischemia-reperfusion. Administration of natural sources of antioxidants such as curcumin, garlic, fenugreek, parsley, peppermint, pomegranate, propolis, olive leaves, rosemary, and sesame attenuated both physiological and histopathological alterations induced in the kidney by the nephrotoxic agent and certain diseases. The nephroprotective effect of the former natural sources of antioxidants may be due to the enhancement of antioxidant activity and inhibition of tissue lipid peroxidation. It can be concluded that administration of curcumin, garlic, fenugreek, parsley, peppermint, pomegranate, propolis, olive leaves, rosemary, and sesame showed a remarkable kidney protection against nephrotoxic agents, and diseases induced renal dysfunctions in human and experimental animals. So, the present study recommended that the consumption of these natural sources of antioxidants may be useful for human exposure to nephrotoxic agents and patients who suffer from renal diseases.

Inhibition of inflammation and autophagy involves in the berberine nephroprotective effect of berberine in diabetic nephropathy mice

Aim To investigate the nephroprotective activity of berberine in diabetic nephropathy （DN） mice. Methods Diabetic nephropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection with 55 mg · kg^-1 streptozotocin（STZ） , Berberine was administered at daily doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg· kg^-1 by gavage for 8 weeks. To detect serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels, blood were collected after the last dose of berberine, renal cortex was separated on ice after heart peffusion by precooled normal saline. The specimen was stored in -80℃ for the next experiments, and some of the kidney tissue were immobilized by 4% paraformaldehyde solution and 3% glut- araldehyde solution for the preparation of paraffin tissue slides and electron microscope biopsy respectively. After that, PAS staining and electron microscope were used to observe the glomerular morphology changes; ELISA was used to measure proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines levels in renal cortex. Real time RT-PCR was taken to detect the level of nucleotide binding oligomerzation domain 2 （NOD2） mRNA, Western blot was used to test the ex- pression of NOD2 and autophagy marker light chain 3 （LC3） in renal cortex. Results Histopathological changes and the increase in serum creatinine and BUN in DN mice were significantly ameliorated by berberine in a dose-de- pendent manner. Additionally, The expression of tumor necrosis factor-or （TNF-α）, interleukin-6 （IL-6） and in- tercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） was markedly suppressed by berberine, indicating the inhibition of in- flammatory response. Treatment of DN mice with berberine also significantly reduced the expression of NOD2 and LC3 in the kidneys. Conclusion The current study showed the nephroprotective activity of berberine in DN mice could be attributed to the inhibition of inflammation and

Antioxidant, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activities of Gazania rigens against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats

Objective:The current study investigated the efficacy of total ethanolic extract and various fractions of Gazania rigens to protect against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver and kidney damage in rats and evaluated their antioxidant activity.Methods:The antioxidant activity of the total extract and fractions(petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,and aqueous)of Gazania rigens was examined using 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and phosphomolybdate assays,and their total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined.The hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potentials were studied at a dose of 300 mg/kg for six consecutive days followed by induction of hepatorenal injury using carbon tetrachloride single dose(1.5 mL/kg,1:1 v/v in olive oil,intraperitoneal)the next day.Results:The results revealed the potent hepato and nephroprotective effects of ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions by significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.001)reducing the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,total bilirubin,creatinine,urea,triglycerides,cholesterol,and lactate dehydrogenase,along with elevated serum albumin levels.The improvement of hepatic and renal antioxidant capacities and catalase activities,together with the prominent reduction of hepatic and renal malondialdehyde contents,were confirmed by histopathological examination.Conclusion:The potent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of the total extract and different fractions of Gazania rigens may be attributed to the presence of highly phenolic and flavonoid compounds along with their complementary antioxidant scavenging properties.

South Asian medicinal plants and chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease remains as one of the serious health issues in South Asia.The paucity of effective pharmacotherapy targeting the management of chronic kidney disease has led to a search for alternative pharmacologic therapies.The traditional knowledge of medicinal plants plays a key role in the discovery of novel nephroprotective agents.This review aims to present the use of such South Asian ethnomedicinal plants that have sufficient therapeutic potency for the management of kidney diseases.Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds that have been reported to exert nephroprotective mechanisms,such as antioxidant,anti-inflammation,diuretic,and immunomodulation.Many South Asian medicinal plants have been detailed in traditional medicinal pharmacopoeias for the management of kidney-related diseases.Some have shown promising effects to address nephropathy in animal models and in vitro research.This information can be beneficial in the development of novel pharmaceutical agents targeting the management of kidney diseases and improvement of quality of life for chronic kidney disease patients by fulfilling the requirements for disease management unmet by modern allopathic medicine.

Phytoremedial Effect of <i>Pleurotus cornucopiae</i>(Oyster Mushroom) against Sodium Arsenite Induced Toxicity in Charles Foster Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the therapeutic role of the ethanolic extract of Pleurotus cornucopiae on sodium arsenite induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Sodium arsenite at the dose of 8 mg&#8226kg–1 body weight orally caused renal damage in rats as manifested by the significant rise in serum levels of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine level compared with control. Ethanolic extracts of P. cornucopiae (400 mg&#8226kg–1 body weight per day) was administered orally for 30 days to sodium arsenite pre-treated rats. The results show significant decrease in the serum urea, uric acid and creatinine levels in comparison to the arsenic treated denotes the nephroprotective effect of P. cornucopiae against sodium arsenite induced toxicity. Furthermore, it also possesses antioxidant effect as lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels decreased in P. cornucopiae treated group in comparison to arsenic treated group. Thus, the present study reveals that P. cornucopiae possesses nephroprotective as well as antioxidant property against arsenic induced toxicity.