Ameliorative effect of Cephalandra indica homeopathic preparation in STZ induced diabetic nephropathy rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the foremost cause of morbidity and has become the most recurrent cause of end-stage renal disease among diabetic patients. Thus, agents having antidiabetic effect along with safety potential in the kidneys would have a higher remedial value. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate possible protective effect of homeopathic preparation of Cephalandra indica Mother tincture, 6C and 30 C potencies on DN in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DN was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg) 15 min after Nicotinamide (230 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. Rats were divided into six groups (n = 6). Group 1 and 2 was kept normal control and diabetic control respectively whereas Groups 3-5 consist of diabetic nephropathy rats treated with different doses of C. indica Mother tincture, 6C and 30 C potencies for 45 days. Glimepride (10 mg/kg) was used as standard. DN was assessed by determining serum glucose, urea, uric acid, creatinine level and tissue histological examination. Tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH, LPO) level was measured to assess the oxidative stress. Also, the level of advanced glycation end products in kidney was determined. RESULTS: Mother tincture, 6C and 30 C potencies of C. indica produced significant attenuation in the biochemical parameters used to assess diabetic nephropathy. Moreover, oxidative stress and AGE's level in kidney was also found to be significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Mother tincture, 6C and 30 C potencies of C. indica confers protective effect against diabetic nephropathy via inhibition of Oxidative stress and AGE's.