Abstract
PURPOSE: The present study was aimed at analysing the reno-protective potential of Gedunin (a limonoid from Neem leaves) through haematological and serological assays and renal histopathology studies in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. METHOD: Four weeks old Wister albino rats were chosen for the study. The rats were divided into four groups of 8 rats each. Group 1 (normal control rats); Group 2 (diabetic control rats); Group 3 (Drug control rats: normal rats treated with 1 mg/kg body weight of Gedunin thrice a week through oral gavage for 2 weeks); Group 4 (diabetic rats treated with Gedunin similar to Group 3). Diabetes was induced using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) in the pre-determined groups. After completion of treatment, the rats were sacrificed and haematological and serological parameters including functional indices of blood cells and renal markers were evaluated through spectrophotometric methods. Renal histology studies were carried out and images were captured on Olympus SC 100, 10 Mega Pixel camera. RESULTS: Streptozotocin induced diabetes lead to marked reduction in the RBC count, haemoglobin, PCV, WBC count, lymphocyte, elevated levels of fasting blood glucose, kidney function markers such as urea, creatinine, uric acid in rats. Administration of Gedunin significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated the elevated levels of fasting glucose, RDW%, MCHC%, NLR% and platelet count. A significant reversal of renal tissue damage was also observed. CONCLUSION: The restoration of renal serological markers and reversal of renal tissue injuries are all indicative of promising reno-protective potential of Gedunin. Remarkable improvement of haematological parameters supports their use as reno-protection markers.