Arabic gum ameliorates histological and histochemical changes in the renal cortex of rats induced by alloxan injection

Arabic gum (AG) is a natural branched-chain multifunctional hydrocolloid with a highly neutral or slightly acidic, arabinogalactan protein complex containing calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Arabic gum is a dried exudate obtained from the stem and branches of Acacia trees. AG has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. This study aimed to examine the possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of AG against the damage induced by alloxan injection on renal tissue of adult male rats using histological and histochemical studies. The current experiment was carried out on 48 adult male Albino rats. Rats were randomly and equally categorized into four groups 12 rats in each group as follows: 1) Control group (C): rats have left without treatment; 2) Diabetic groups (D): rats were injected with 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan and left for 21 days ; 3) Arabic gum groups (G): rats were orally administrated AG (25 mg/kg body weight/day) for 21 days and 4) D+G groups: rats were injected with alloxan and treated with 25 mg/kg body weight/day for 21 days. The experimental rats were sacrificed after 7 and 21 days post-treatment. Examination of renal tissue of rats seven and twenty-one days post-alloxan injection revealed many histological and histochemical changes. Highly increased collagen fibres were demonstrated after seven and twenty-one days post alloxan injection. Also, alloxan injection significantly decreased PAS-positive materials, total protein content, and total DNA content, but it significantly increased amyloid β –protein content relative to the control group. While treatment with AG post-alloxan injection showed a trend toward lowering the incidence of renal tissue histological and histochemical changes induced by alloxan injection. According to the results obtained in the current study using AG as a natural agent showed a strong cytoprotective effect against the histological and histochemical changes due to its antioxidant effect.