Purpurin, a Natural Anthroquinone Ameliorates Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Nephropathy via Attenuating Hyperglycemia, Dyslipidemia, and Inflammation in Rats

Abstract

Background Throughout the world, diabetic nephropathy has been treated by managing hyperglycemia and hypertension with antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs, but the potency of reversing the diabetic nephropathy-induced complications is still questionable. Materials and Methods This study was focused on elucidating the nephroprotective effect of purpurin, a natural anthraquinone, against diabetic nephropathy induced in an in vivo model. Diabetic nephropathy was induced in rats by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) and then treating them with purpurin. The rats were analyzed for food intake, body weight gain, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) to analyze the anti-glycemic effect of purpurin on diabetic nephropathy-induced rats. The lipid profile, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels were assessed. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were quantified to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of purpurin on diabetic nephropathy-induced rats. Finally, histopathological analysis of kidney tissue was performed. Results Purpurin effectively decreased the body weight, FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR values, and increased insulin levels. It significantly decreased lipid profiles while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in diabetic nephropathy-induced rats. It also decreased the BUN, creatinine, LDH, and KIM-1 levels. The reduction in proinflammatory cytokine levels was observed in the purpurin-treated diabetic nephropathy rats. Finally, the histopathological analysis confirms the nephroprotective effect of purpurin. Conclusion Taken together, our results conclude that purpurin possesses therapeutic potency to ameliorate diabetic-induced nephropathy, and it can be a promising drug for diabetic nephropathy in the future.