Abstract

Several herbal preparations are used to treat diabetes, but their reported hypoglycemic effects are complex. In this study, thenephroprotective effects of leaves of Vitex doniana aqueous extract onstreptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats was evaluated. Twenty five male rats were used in the study by randomly allocating them into five groups, each of five rats. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally using 50 mg/kg streptozotocin, while diabetic rats were treated with 100 mg/kgaqueous extract and glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg) for 28 days. Normal rats received distilled water. Serum creatinine and urea levels thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the kidney as well as kidney catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were assayed. The results revealed that the TBARS, creatinine and urea levels were increased while SOD and CAT activities decreased significantly (P<0.05) in control rats. Treatment with extract was able to reverse these parameters to normal by increasing SOD and CAT and decreasing TBARS, urea and creatinine. Extract treatment demonstrated more effect compared to glibenclamidetreatment. However, the extract was able to manage hyperglycaemia and diabetes -induced oxidative changes in the kidney, thus suggesting its use for the management of diabetic complications affecting the kidney