Nephro-protective efficacy of Blighia sapida stem bark ether fractions on experimentally induced diabetes nephropathy

Studies suggest that Blighia sapida (B. sapida) possesses hypoglycemic potential. The potentials of B. sapida to ameliorate diabetic complications including diabetic nephropathy are yet to be established. This present research therefore investigated the role of B. sapida in renal functions of STZ-induced diabetes rats. Petroleum and diethyl ether fractions of B. sapida’s (PEFBS and DEFBS) stem bark were used in this study. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg b. w. of STZ singly. Short-term effects of PEFBS and DEFBS at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg b. w. and metformin (5 mg/kg b.w) were studied in diabetic-induced rats administered once per day for 2 weeks. The renal functions were assessed by biochemical, histological, and gene expression analysis using standard procedure. PEFBS and DEFBS significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the concentration of blood glucose of diabetic-induced rats after days 7, 11, and 14 of treatment compared to diabetic rats administered 2 ml/kg b. w. of normal saline. The PEFBS and DEFBS at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg b.w. downregulated NGAL, KIM-1, and cystatin c genes in kidney tissues of diabetic-induced rats compared to diabetic rats administered 2 ml/kg b. w. of normal saline. Also, concomitant significant reduction in urea and protein concentration in diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg b.w of PEFBS and DEFBS and 200 mg/kg b.w of PEFBS were observed compared to diabetic rats administered 2 ml/kg b. w. of normal saline. These results suggested that B. sapida stem bark does not only possess hypoglycemic efficacy but was able to protect kidney functions during diabetes pathogenesis. Therefore, it could be used therapeutically against processes associated with nephrotic dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetes rats.