Effect of Allium Cepa Supplemented Diets on Plasma Glucose, Electrolytes and Renal Histology of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Allium cepa (onion) contains phytochemicals that are anti-diabetic. The anti-hyperglycemic benefits of onion and its possible effects in alleviating deleterious histological changes in kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetic mice was studied. 20 wistar rats were grouped into 4; A: was intraperitoneally administered a single dose of STZ in NaCl (60mg/kg body weight(BW)) + 2ml onion juice 100gBW/day), B: injected with a single dose of STZ; while groups C and D served as negative and positive controls. Fasting plasma samples were drawn, glucose and electrolytes assayed using standard laboratory procedures. Histological changes in renal cells was examined using haematoxylin and eosin stains. Plasma glucose of STZ-induced diabetic rats was reduced from 18.82 ± 0.79 to 7.30 ± 1.13mmol/L after treatment with onion juice. Potassium, sodium and chloride levels were increased in diabetic rats than in controls. Tubular injury, degenerative and atrophic changes in renal glomeruli seen in untreated diabetics were less prominent and well - improved in the treated diabetic group. A normal glomerulus was observed in the control rats. Results from this study showed anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic effects of Allium cepa juice and suggests its possible renoprotective role in improving renal damage in diabetic animals.