LEAF EXTRACT OF U. PILULIFERA DOWNREGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF INOS IN KIDNEYS OF DIABETIC RATS

Although the extract of U.pilulifera has been used since a long time to treat diabetes, but its role in improving the situation of kidneys remains to be well established. The main objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of the extract of U. pilulifera on the expression of iNOS in kidneys of diabetic rats. Methodology of the present study included collection of U. pilulifera fromvarious places in Jordan, air dried and extracted by Soxhlet cold extractor using absolute methanol as solvent and remained for three consecutive days. Extracted juice was kept in refrigerator at 4°C. Diabetes was induced through administration of alloxan 150 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Study model included 4 groups: control group, diabetic group, diabetic group treated with 1.25 mg/kg body weight, and diabetic group treated with 1.88 mg/kg body weight. Study findings showed increased significant expression of iNOS in diabetic group compared with control group (P 0.000). The extract of U.pilulifera significantly decreased the expression of iNOS in diabetic kidneys at both doses used, but more reduction of iNOS was observed using the large dose 1.88 mg/kg of body weight. Taken together, the present study confirmed the findings of other studies in which the expression of iNOS plays a role in diabetic kidney. Therapeutic potential of U. pilulifera in treating diabetes has also been suggested to be mediated in diabetic kidneys through decreasing the expression of iNOS.