Antidiabetic Effects of Corni Fructus Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

PURPOSE Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure. The present study was undertaken to characterize the effects of Corni Fructus on diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and their mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were orally administrated with Corni Fructus at a dose of 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg body mass for 40 days. RESULTS Corni Fructus-treated diabetic rats showed significant decreases of blood glucose, urinary protein levels and water consumption. Corni Fructus also reduced serum total cholesterol, total triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and showed a tendency of enhancing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Levels of serum albumin and creatinine in diabetic rats were also significantly reduced by Corni Fructus administration at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body mass compared with non-treated diabetic rats. Corni Fructus increased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidose (GSH-px) activities in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Furthermore, Corni Fructus treatment enhanced renal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that Corni Fructus may have the potential to protect the animals from diabetic nephropathy by amelioration of oxidative stress and stimulation of PPARγ expression.