ABSTRACT:
The present study investigated the combined effect of low doses Acarbose and Ocimum tenuflorum ethanol leaf extract in diabetes-induced experimental nephropathy. Rats were administered streptozotocin (35 mg/kg ip, once with high fat diet to induce experimental diabetes mellitus. The development of diabetic nephropathy was assessed biochemically and histologically. In addition, the lipid profile and renal oxidative stress were assessed Lisinoprilwas used as the standard drug for nephropathy. Acarbose was administered at 5 mg/kg as low dose and Ocimum tenuflorum was administered at250mg/kg p.o.dose separately as well as in combination. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA followed by Dunnets Multiple comparision test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Oral administration of combination of Acarbose and at 5 mg/kg p.o. and Ocimum tenuflorum 250mg/kg respectively produced significant (p<0.01 & pc0.001) decrease in lipid profile and oxidative stress. This combination of Acarbose and Ocimum tenuflorum at low dose was more effective in attenuating the diabetes-induced nephropathy and renal oxidative stress as compared to treatment with either drug alone. It may be concluded that induction of nephropathy in diabetic rats are due to diabetes-induced oxidative stress and lipid profile alterations. The concurrent administration of Acarbose and Ocimum tenuflorum at low doses may have prevented the development of diabetes-induced nephropathy by reducing the lipid alteration, decreasing the renal oxidative stress and certainly providing the direct nephroprotective action.