A Potential Treatment Strategy for the Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats: Leptadenia hastata Extract

Background: Kidney disorders are serious outcomes of diabetes, resulting in renal ailments. This study seeks to provide an alternative treatment for the disorder through the use of medicinal plants that offer renal protection and ameliorate the deleterious effect of diabetes. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into six groups of five and hyperglycemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin. The rats with a fasting blood glucose level exceeding 250 mg/dl were selected. The L. hastata leaf extract was administered orally and a daily insulin injection was given intramuscularly into the left thigh for 28 days. Rats were then sacrificed and the urine was collected for urinalysis. The kidneys were harvested and examined histologically. The micrographs obtained were subjected to morphometric analyses to evaluate several parameters. Results: The extract-treated groups showed preservation of the cytoarchitecture of the renal tubules and glomeruli as compared to the diabetic control group, which showed distortion of the glomeruli and atrophied renal tubules. The rats that received the extract showed a significantly increased glomerular perimeters and areas (P<0.01). The cellularity was significantly increased (P<0.001); however, the glomerular basement membranes were significantly thicker in these groups compared to the controls (P<0.001). Both the extract-treated and insulin-treated rats showed reduced urine glucose concentrations. Urobilirubinogen, protein, and ketone levels were elevated in the diabetic controls compared to the extract-treated rats. Conclusions: Administration of the L. hastata extract led to renal protection by preserving the cytoarchitecture of the glomeruli and renal tubules, restoring the kidneys’ function.