Therapeutic role of Azadirachta indica leaves ethanolic extract against diabetic nephropathy in rats neonatally induced by streptozotocin

ABSTRACT

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is manifested by chronic loss of renal function due to damage of glomeruli and renal tubules. Therefore, this study is mainly designed to evaluate the therapeutic role of Azadiracta indica (neem) leaves extract as a novel approach for treatment of DN in rats neonatally induced by streptozotocin (STZ). For this study, 40 offspring were selected after parturition and categorized into four groups (n = 10). Group1: control group, group 2: neem leaves extract supplemented group, group 3: diabetic group that injected with a single dose of STZ and group 4: diabetic group treated with neem extract. The results revealed deleterious histological and ultrstructural changes in the renal tissues of diabetic rats. Such changes included atrophied glomeruli, dilated renal cortical tubules and scattered hemorrhage spots, thickening of glomerular basement membrane, expansion of mesangial matrix and pyknotic podocyte. Additionally, the proximal convoluted tubule and distal tubule showed cytoplasmic vacuolation, vacuolated mitochondria, scattered lipid droplets, lost microvilli and disrupted basal lamina and basal infoldings. Moreover, significant decreased levels of serum antioxidants (SOD&CAT) and significant increased levels of serum MDA, urea and creatinine were noticed in diabetic rats. Neem leaves extract successfully alleviated the histological and ultrastructural as well as biochemical changes induced by diabetes.

KEYWORDS:

• Diabetic nephropathy
• Neem
• histology
• ultrastructure
• apoptosis

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Research Sector of Damanhur University and Electron microscope unit of Mansoura University, for providing facilities to bring to this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authorship contributions

Abd El-Fattah B. M. El-Beltagy, Amira M.B.Saleh: Conception and design of study.

Amany A.A. Sayed, Reham A. Ghanem: acquisition of data.

All authors: analysis and/ or interpretation of data.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.