protective effect of Naringenin (Citrus flavonone) on incipient diabetic nephropathy in the rats with alloxan-induced diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic abnormality that has a relatively high prevalence all over the world. Kidney failure is one of the main complications of diabetes. Many therapeutic methods have been introduced from all over the world to treat diabetes. The aim of the present study was to assess the protective effect of Naringenin on early kidney injuries in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups, including: healthy control, normal healthy receiving Naringenin, diabetic and diabetic receiving Naringenin. Diabetes was also induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of naloxone (120 mg/kg). Naringenin treatment groups received the drug (50 mg/kg) daily for 3 weeks through the gavage. Finally, serum levels of kidney function markers including urea, uric acid and creatinine as well as amount of lipid peroxidation product (MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were assessed in kidney hemogenates. Moreover, histopathological observation was assayed at the degree of renal injury. Significant differences among the groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey post-test. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. In alloxanized diabetic rats, Naringenin significantly decreased the levels of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine (p<0.05), and significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation and elevated the levels of antioxidant enzymes in these rats (p<0.05). Histopathological changes were in agreement with biochemical findings. The results of the present study showed that naringenin with antioxidant properties can prevent early diabetic kidney damage.