Antidiabetic effects of Tetracarpidium conophorum seed on biomarkers of diabetes-induced nephropathy in rats

Objective: To investigate antidiabetic effects of Tetracarpidium conophorum seed (TECOSE) against biomarkers of diabetes-induced nephropathy in rats. Methods: Powdered seed (500 g) of TECOSE was extracted with 5 L of 100% methanol for 72 h followed by concentration of filtrate. Diabetes was induced in rats with 75 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal streptozotocin. The rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=5 in each group) namely group A- normal control, group B- diabetic control, groups C, D and E were diabetic rats treated with 500 mg/kg body weight TECOSE orally, 7 mg/kg body weight metformin orally and subcutaneous 0.3 IU/kg body weight HumulinR, respectively. All rats were treated once daily for 2 weeks. Blood samples and urine were collected for biochemical estimations. Kidney was harvested for histomorphological studies. Results: TECOSE (500 mg/kg body weight) significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood sugar levels as effective as metformin and insulin. The plant extract also significantly (P<0.05) reduced levels of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid, proteinuria, ketonuria, hematuria and glycosuria while it significantly (P