Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. To prevent the development of this disease and to improve advanced kidney injury, effective therapies directed toward the key molecular target are required. In this paper, the efficacy of fenugreek to restore the kidney function of diabetic rats via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities has been studied. Novel data showing the efficacy of fenugreek to attenuate progression of diabetic nephropathy and production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats compared with a diabetic untreated group were obtained. Rats were classified into five groups; control, diabetic untreated, and three diabetic groups treated with fenugreek, rosiglitazone, and metformin. Treatment with fenugreek has been continued for 12 weeks. Fenugreek was found to significantly reduce the high levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and IL-6 in serum compared with the diabetic untreated group. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde and IL-6 in the kidney homogenate were significantly reduced as a result of the fenugreek treatment compared with the diabetic untreated group. Moreover, concentration of GSH and the activity of both superoxide dismutase and catalase were considerably increased in the diabetic treated groups compared with the diabetic untreated group. Furthermore, glomerular mesangial expansion was reduced in the treated animal groups. These findings suggest a therapeutic potential of fenugreek against diabetic nephropathy, explain its antioxidative/anti-inflammatory properties and provide a direction for future research.