Evaluation of nephroprotective effect of Bryonia lacinosa on streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rats

Background: Ayurvedic literature indicated use of Bryonia laciniosa (BL) for metabolic abnormalities. However only one study evaluated Bryonia laciniosa seed ethanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats and was found to have anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. The authors looked at the renal function test in addition and found that it prevents deterioration of renal function in rats. Hence it was interesting to find if Bryonia laciniosa had any protective action in streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rats.Methods: Streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy model in wistar rats was standardised in phase 1. In phase 2 animals were divided into 4 groups and diabetic nephropathy was induce with STZ. Vehicle Control group animals received CMC 0.5%, Positive control group received enalapril 5 mg/kg, Test group 1 received ethanolic extract of Bryonia laciniosa (EEBL) 250 mg/kg and Test group 2 received (EEBL) 500 mg/kg from 3rd day onwards till 6 weeks. Renal function, morphology and histopthological changes were evaluated.Results: There was a significant reduction (p <0.001) in the serum creatinine and BUN in both low and high dose EEBL groups. High dose of EEBL lowered raised MDA values significantly (p<0.001) and raised the GSH values (p<0.001). On histopathology, the high dose EEBL reversed nephropathic changes which were equivalent to enalapril.Conclusions: Bryonia lacinosa in high doses 500 mg/kg has potential to reverse diabetic nephropathic changes induced in wistar rats