Leonurine Attenuates Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats by Mitigating Dyslipidemia and Inflammation

Abstract

Background Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the serious complications associated with a prolonged diabetic condition. DN continues to be the primary cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients globally. Objectives The objective of the current work is to study the nephroprotective properties of leonurine in the diabetic nephropathy model. Materials and Methods The experimental rats were induced with DN through an administration of 65 mg/kg of Streptozotocin (STZ) and the DN rats were treated with leonurine for 12 weeks. Following the treatment period, the blood glucose, insulin and glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated. The renal function markers, including creatinine, kidney injury molecule, ROS level, lipid profiles and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, were examined using the kits. The renal tissues of the experimental rats were subjected to the histological studies. Results The outcomes of the present work found that the leonurine treatment considerably increased the insulin levels, decreased blood glucose and HbA1c levels and decreased ROS production in the DN rats. In the DN rats, the treatment of leonurine significantly reduced the inflammatory markers, renal fibrotic markers, kidney dysfunction markers and lipid markers. The histological analysis results also confirmed leonurine's therapeutic effects against DN in rats. Conclusion The current findings suggest that leonurine has the capacity to be a talented candidate to treat DN.

Keywords: Renal fibrosis; Hyperglycemia; Leonurine; Insulin; Dyslipidemia