Effect of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) leaves extract on diabetic nephropathy in rats

Summary Diabetic nephropathy is a clinical syndrome characterized by albuminuria, hypertension and progressive renal insufficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) leaves extract on diabetic nephropathy in rats. Streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats were orally treated with three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of strawberry leaves extract for 30 days. Nephropathy biomarkers in plasma and kidney were examined at the end of the experiment. The three doses of strawberry leaves extract significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, kidney injury molecule (Kim)‐1, renal malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐ 6 and caspase‐3 in diabetic rats. Meanwhile, the levels of plasma insulin, albumin, uric acid, renal catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) were significantly elevated in diabetic rats treated with strawberry leaves extract. These results indicate the role of strawberry leaves extract as anti‐diabetic, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy.
Source: International Journal of Experimental Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research