ATTENUATION OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY IN WISTAR RATS BY ETHANOLIC BARK EXTRACT OF ANTHOCEPHALUS CADAMBA WITH PYRIDOXINE VIA REDUCTION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS

Objective: A significant microvascular consequence of diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy (DN) causes end-stage renal disease and progressive renal impairment. Oxidative stress and inflammation are major contributors in developing DN. In this research, ethanolic bark extract of Anthocephalus cadamba (200 and 400 mg/kg) with or without pyridoxine (100 mg/kg) was tested for its nephroprotective efficacy against DN in Wistar rats produced by streptozotocin (STZ). Methods: STZ (45 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally once, causing diabetes. Eight groups of diabetic rats received oral treatment for 8 weeks with either pyridoxine (100 mg/kg), A. cadamba extract (200 or 400 mg/kg), or both. Renal function was examined by measuring serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Antioxidant indices, like catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were quantified in kidney homogenates. One-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s test were used to evaluate the collected data. Hematological examination of the kidney tissue was also carried out. Results: STZ administration significantly elevated BUN and serum creatinine levels (p