Protective Effect of Crocin on Kidney Performance in Chronic Uncontrolled Hyperglycemia-Induced Nephropathy in Rat

Background and Objective: Based on previous studies, inflammation and oxidative stress play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, we aimed to examine the protective effects of crocin, as a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, on kidney function and oxidative stress in an experimental model of diabetic nephropathy in male wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male wistar rats (۱۹۰-۲۲۰ g) were randomly divided into four groups (each n=۶); normal, normal treatment, diabetic, diabetic treatment. The rats were made diabetic by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin (۴۰ mg/kg). Treated rats received crocin intraperitoneally with a dose of ۴۰ mg/kg/day for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected for measurement of blood glucose and creatinine levels. The Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrate contents of kidney also were assessed. Results: Chronic hyperglycemia (blood glucose >۴۰۰ mg/dL) significantly increased the blood creatinine of the diabetic group (۴.۵۱±۰.۴۵ mg/dL) compared with normal rats (۰.۷۲±۰.۰۹ mg/dL, P<۰.۰۰۱). Hyperglycemia also decreased the nitrate content (۳۷%) accompanied by an increase in the MDA content (۱۳.۰۰±۰.۱۹ µg/mg protein) compared with normal group (۱۰.۲۲±۰.۵۴ µg/mg protein). Crocin significantly decreased the blood creatinine of diabetic rats (۱.۱۲±۰.۱۳ mg/dL, P<۰.۰۰۱), accompanied by a decrease in blood glucose (۹%). Finally, the content of MDA significantly decreased by ۲۹% in diabetic treated rats compare to diabetic untreated rats (P<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, it is appeared that crocin has a role in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy through inhibition of oxidative stress and reducing lipid oxidation.

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Key words: Diabetes Mellitus , Crocin , Diabetic Nephropathy , Oxidative Stress , Hyperglycemia