The Reno-Protective Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Cassia Fistula (Amaltas) Leaves on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats

Objective: To determine the Reno-protective effect of ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula (Amaltas) leaves on streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rats. Study Design: An animal experimental study Place of Study: The study was done in Biochemistry department, Islamic International Medical College,Rawalpindi and NIH.Islamabad. Materials and Methods: Single injection of STZ was given intraperitoneally to rats and those rats that showed fasting blood glucose level over 280mg/dl were included in the study. After induction of diabetes all rats were divided into, normal control group (A), diabetes positive control group (B), and the two groups (C and D) served as experimental groups while group E served as standard as it received glibenclamide. Group C and D diabetic experimental rats received ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula leaves at 400 mg/kg and 500mg/kg of body weight orally for eight weeks on daily basis. On the other hand group E rats received glibenclamide at 0.5 mg/kg body weight orally for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected after eight weeks to find reno-protection against STZ induced diabetic nephropathy. Results: The diabetic positive group rats showed variable increase in levels of serum glucose, serum urea, serum creatinine, total urinary protein and microalbuminuric levels. Body weight decreased and urine volume increased in diabetic groups. Cassia fistula ethanolic extract of 400mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight dose and glibenclamide significantly decreased the levels of these parameters in rats. On comparison Cassia fistula ethanolic extract of 500mg/kg dose reduced levels of biochemical parameters more effectively than the 400mg/kg dose of Cassia fistula and glibenclamide. Cassia fistula constituents, especially polyphenols and flavonoids have strong anti-oxidant activity which might be involved in reno-protection. Conclusion: Cassia fistula ethanolic leaf extract showed reno-protection against STZ induced diabetic nephropathy in rats.