Protective effect of orientin on diabetic nephropathy in rat models of high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) represents the primary cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. Orientin is a natural bioactive flavonoid with profound immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects. This study aimed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of orientin on rat prototypes of high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN. 75 male rats were divided into 5 groups of 15 rats each. Rats were fed a HFD for 4 weeks, injected with a single dose of STZ 30 mg/kg, and continued on HFD for 15 weeks. Orientin was administered daily at 40 mg/kg for 15 weeks. The diabetic group reported substantially greater fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and renal function measures than normal controls, as well as notable kidney histological abnormalities such as interstitial inflammation, glomerular shrinkage, and tubular necrosis. Additionally, the diabetic group showed dramatically greater amounts of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, MDA, and a much lower level of GSH than the control group. However, orientin had no effect on the glycaemic parameters, but it dramatically reduced blood creatinine levels, prevented the development of histopathological irregularities, and minimized the renal concentrations of inflammatory and oxidative markers. Orientin may be a promising natural medication for improving diabetic nephropathy thanks to its robust anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties.