Can Juniperus communis L. oil improve nephropathy in diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: Juniperus communis L. is a shrub belonging to family Cupressaceae L. mainly growth in Eurasia. The antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of J. communis L. berries indicated benefits as a potent antidiabetic in streptozotocin induced diabetic albino rats. This study was carried out to determine whether J. communis L. oil supplement will effectively manage renal dysfunction in diabetic rats.Methods: Twenty eight rats were divided into 4 equal groups as follows; control group, diabetic group, J. communis L. oil (200 mg/kg) treated group, and diabetic+J. communis L. oil (200 mg/kg) treated group. At the end of the experimental period, all rats were sacrificed and renal function parameters such as kidney antioxidant and lipid peroxidation markers and serum creatinine, serum urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum total protein levels were measured in all groups. Results: HbA1c, serum glucose, serum urea, serum creatinine, BUN, and kidney lipid peroxidation levels increased but serum total protein and antioxidant levels decreased in diabetic group comparing with control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, HbA1c, serum glucose, serum urea, serum creatinine, BUN, and kidney lipid peroxidation levels decreased and also, serum total protein and antioxidant levels increased in diabetic group treated with J. communis L. oil comparing with diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study has provided direct evidence of a link between diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy and demonstrated that J. communis L. oil provide a protective effect on the kidney as evidenced by an improvement of the renal function tests as well as reduction in oxidative stress parameters.