EFFECT OF CUCUMIS MELO VAR. FLEXUOSUS LEAVES EXTRACT ON RENAL OXIDATIVE INJURY AND INFLAMMATION IN DIABETIC MALE ALBINO RATS

Kidney disorders are common complications of uncontrolled diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral administration of Cucumis melo var. flexuosus (snake melon or faqqous) leaves extract in three different doses (30, 60 and 120 mg/kg body weight) for 30 consecutive days on renal damage and inflammation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male albino rats (single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg STZ/kg body weight). The results showed that the snake melon leaves extract induced a significant decrease in the plasma level of the kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in the diabetic rats. In addition, the snake melon leaves extract caused a significant decrease in the levels of the renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and caspase-3 of the diabetic rats. On the other hand, renal catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as renal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level, were elevated significantly in the diabetic rats treated only with 60 mg or 120 mg of the snake melon leaves extract/kg body weight (compared with the diabetic control rats). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that the snake melon leaves extracts have a potential and effective role in inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidney of diabetic rats.