The effects of aloe vera against gentamicin-induced tubular toxicity

Background: Aloe vera is a well-known plant, has been used as alternative medicine. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid quantities of Aloe vera to investigate the nephroprotective and curative effects of aqueous extract of this plant on gentamicin-induced tubular toxicity in male Wistar rats. Methods: This preclinical study was performed on 60 male Wistar rats randomly divided into 6 groups of 10. Group I were treated with vehicle (distilled water) as control. Group II received 300 mg/kg/day Aloe vera for three days next orally, then, the same oral Aloe vera plus 80 mg/kg/day intravenous gentamicin for seven more days. Group III received the same amount of oral Aloe vera for 10 days. Group IV received the same amount of intravenous gentamicin for 7 days. Group V received the same amount of intravenous gentamicin for 7 days and then, saline for ten days. Group VI received the same amount of intravenous gentamicin for 7 days and then, the same amount of oral Aloe vera for 10 days. Findings: The amounts of flavonoid and phenolic component in Aloe vera extract were 43.0 ± 3.8 mg/g of rutin equivalent and 80.1 ± 3.8 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extract was 38%. The intensity of nephrotoxicity in group 2, which received 300 mg/kg/day Aloe vera orally as prophylaxis was not significantly different from the group I and from the group II, which received the same amount of Aloe vera without gentamicin. In 4, 5, 6 groups the intensity of nephrotoxicity was more than 1, 2 and 3 groups. Conclusion: This finding reveals that despite the antioxidants and polyphenol compounds of Aloe vera, it cannot prevent or treat the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. © 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

Herbal medicine and diabetic kidney disease.

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure worldwide, however current treatments remain suboptimal. Recently various plants have shown beneficial effects not only on kidney function in diabetes mellitus, but also on kidney toxicities induced by some drugs or toxins. The active substances recognized in these plants include polysaccharides, flavonoids, xanthones and peptide

Effect of mucilage extracted from the fruit of Hibiscus esculentus on preventive of increasing glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats by streptozotocin

زمینه و هدف: دیابت یک ناهنجاری سوخت و سازی است که با هیپرگلایسمی ناشی از نقص در ترشح انسولین، نقص در عملکرد انسولین یا هر دو ایجاد می شود. هدف از انجام این مطالعه بررسی اثرات موسیلاژ استخراج شده از غلاف میوه بامیه (Hibiscus esculentus) بر پیشگیری از افزایش گلوکز ناشتا و پروفایل چربی سرم موش های صحرایی دیابتی شده با استرپتوزوتوسین می باشد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی از 30 سر موش صحرایی نر بالغ نژاد ویستار استفاده شد. موش ها به طور تصادفی در 3 گروه 10 تایی شامل گروه شاهد سالم، شاهد دیابتی و تیمار با موسیلاژ تقسیم شدند. پس از تهیه و تایید گونه گیاه بامیه، استخراج موسیلاژ از غلاف سبز رنگ میوه توسط دستگاه تبخیر در خلا انجام شد. گروه تیمار روزانه به مدت دو هفته به میزان g/kgbw 2 موسیلاژ استخراج شده از گیاه بامیه دریافت کردند و پس از تزریق درون صفاقی استرپتوزوتوسین به میزان mg/kgbw 60 دیابتی شدند. پس از محرز شدن دیابت، حیوانات به مدت 3 هفته به همان میزان موسیلاژ را به صورت روزانه از طریق گاواژ دریافت نمودند. قبل از القای دیابت و در انتهای مدت آزمایش از تمامی حیوانات خونگیری به عمل آمد و فاکتورهای مورد نظر بررسی شدند. داده ها توسط نرم افزار SPSS و با استفاده از آزمون های آماری ویلکاکسون، فریدمن، کروس کال والیس و آنالیز واریانس تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته ها: نتایج حاکی از افزایش معنی دار میزان گلوکز، لیپوپروتئین با چگالی پایین و تری گلیسیرید در موش های دیابتی نسبت به سایر گروه ها بود (05/0>P). مصرف موسیلاژ سبب کاهش معنی دار گلوکز، تری گلیسیرید، کلسترول، لیپوپروتئین با چگالی بالا و لیپوپروتئین با چگالی پایین در موش های دیابتی شد (05/0>P). نتیجه گیری: بر اساس نتایج این مطالعه موسیلاژ گیاه بامیه می تواند در پیشگیری از عوارض هیپرلیپیدمیک و هیپرگلایسمیک ناشی از دیابت شیرین موثر می باشد

Impact of momordica charantia extract on kidney function and structure in mice

Background: Bitter Melon (BM) is known for its hypoglycemic effect and is commonly used in populations. Objectives: This study examined the effects and safety of bitter melon fruit in laboratory mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 70 male mice (25-30 gr) were randomly divided into 7 groups. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with single doses of 0, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg and multiple doses 500 mg/kg daily for 7 days. The mice were then observed for 72 hours before sacrificing. Immediately kidneys were taken out for histological examinations. Tubular cell vacuolization and flattening as well as hyaline casts, debris and dilatation of tubular lumen were the morphologic lesions which were assessed with scores from 0 to 4, while zero score addressed normal renal tissue. Serum samples were assayed for kidney function (creatinine; Cr and Blood Urea Nitrogen; BUN). Blood and bitter melon antioxidant activities were measured, too. Data were analyzed with Stata software (Stata Corp. 2011. Stata Statistical Software: Release 12. College Station, TX: Stata Corp LP) using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. Results: All single dose groups showed normal behavior after the dosing and no statistical changes were observed in blood parameters (p>0.05). Histological examinations revealed normal organ structures, however, the group treated for 7 days showed statistically a significant change in BUN (p=0.002) and a borderline significance in Cr (p=0.051). Conclusions: Administration of up to 4000 mg/kg did not have any effect on the mice kidney function and histology, however chronic administration were nephrotoxic. More studies with different dosage regimens are suggested. © 2014, Society of Diabetic Nephropathy Prevention. All rights reserved

Impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats.

Introduction:Hibiscus esculentus is capable to produce various molecules including phenolic and flavonoid compounds, phytosteroids with antioxidant property. Therefore, it has the potential to show antidiabetic activities. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats. The flavonoid, flavonol and phenolic components, as well as antioxidant activity of Hibiscus esculentus was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: In a preclinical study, 40 male Wistar rats were designated into four 10-member groups, i.e., control, diabetic control, diabetic Hibiscus esculentus, and diabetic glibenclamide. The Alloxan-induced diabetic rats received extracts orally for four weeks. Then, the serum biochemical factors were measured and compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased in diabetic Hibiscus esculentus rats compared to diabetic control ones (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Improving the blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats indicates that Hibiscus esculentus extract might be beneficial in diabetic patients

Ameliorative Effect of Green Tea Against Contrast-induced Renal Tubular Cell Injury

Introduction. Reactive oxygen species are a mediator of kidney damage by contrast media, and green tea is a potent-free radical scavenger. This study was designed to examine whether green tea could protect against the nephrotoxicity induced by contrast media. Materials and Methods. Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was control; group 2 received contrast medium (intravenous iodixanol, 10 mL/kg, as a single dose); group 3 received contrast medium and then green tea extract for 3 days (10 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneal); and group 4 first received green tea and then contrast medium. Histological changes (degeneration, vacuolization of tubular renal cells, dilatation of tubular lumen, and presence of debris in the lumens) were assessed and recorded as scores from zero to 4. The sum of scores were used as the overal renal injury level. Results. Groups 3 and 4 with green tea treatment had significantly higher overall scores than the control group, but significantly lower scores than group 2 with contrast medium only. A similar trend was seen for dilatation and degeneration levels. Vacuolization level was not significantly lower in the green tea groups as compared to the contrast medium group. Debris level was not significantly lower in group 3 than group 2. The differences were not significant between groups 3 and 4. Conclusions. We observed beneficial effect of green tea against nephrotoxicity of contrast media. Green tea extract may offer an inexpensive and nontoxic intervention strategy in patients with a risk for nephrotoxicity with contrast media

The theme of the world diabetes day 2014; healthy living and diabetes; a nephrology viewpoint.

Annually, on November 14, the world diabetes day (WDD) is celebrated. WDD is a campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations throughout the world. It was created in 1991 by IDF and World Health Organization (WHO) in response to increasing concerns about the intensifying threat of diabetes worldwide. The WDD 2014 organization marks the first of a three-year (2014-16) emphasis on "healthy living and diabetes". Replacement of whole grain and cereal-based foods with refined grains in diet planning could be an operative and practical strategy in type II diabetic patients. This strategy beyond the development of glycemic control, leads to more benefits for management of other features of diabetes, diminution of diabetes-induced metabolic disorders, and prevents long-term complications especially diabetic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease

A biochemical study on ameliorative effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract against contrast media induced acute kidney injury.

INTRODUCTION Reactive oxygen species have been shown to be mediators of kidney injury and green tea polyphenols are potent-free radical scavengers. OBJECTIVES In this study we sought to examine whether green tea was able to protect renal toxicity induced by contrast media or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study 40 rats were randomly divided into four groups including: 1) control group 2) contrast media group 3) contrast media plus green tea 4) Green tea pretreatment and contrast media group. Blood urea Nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine were assessed for severity of kidney injury. RESULTS Serum creatinine level was higher in group II than in other groups (p<0.001). Treatment (group 3) or pretreatment (group 4) with green tea significantly reduced blood creatinine level when compared with contrast media group (group 2). CONCLUSION In this study, beneficial property of green tea, against renal toxicity of contrast media was observed. Green tea extract is an inexpensive, nontoxic, and effective treatment modality in individuals with a risk for acute kidney injury of contrast media

Renoprotective effects of antioxidants against cisplatin nephrotoxicity

Nephrotoxicity is the major limitation for the clinical use of cisplatin as an anti-tumoural drug. Intracellular effects of cisplatin cause tubular damage and tubular dysfunction with sodium, potassium, and magnesium wasting. Renoperotective strategies against cisplatin are classified on 8 targets: 1) Decrease of cisplatin uptake by renal cell, 2) Inhibition of cisplatin metabolism, 3) Blocking cell death pathways, 4) Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, 5) Pharmacologic, molecular, and genetic blockade of p53, 6) Inhibition of specific Mitogen-activated protein kinase, 7) Antioxidants usage for renoprotection against cisplatin injury and inhibit of oxidative stress, 8) Suppress of inflammation. The oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions and subsequently can cause a large number of diseases in humans. Antioxidant from natural products have attracted the physicians’ attentions, nowadays. The natural product antioxidants detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) in kidneys, without affecting the anticancer efficacy of cisplatin. Hence, antioxidants have potential therapeutic applications