Sanguinarine Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats through Nuclear Factor-Kappa B and Nuclear-Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2/Heme Oxygenase-1 Pathways

Abstract

Alkaloids - derived from natural plants - were widely used for therapy in diabetes or diabetes-related complications. Sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid derived from Sanguinaria canadensis, has been identified as a potential drug for type 2 diabetes. However, the role of sanguinarine on diabetes-related complication, diabetic nephropathy, has not been reported yet. In a rat model of diabetic nephropathy we have demonstrated increased levels of 24 h urinary proteins, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen, as well as series of degenerative changes in the kidney tissues. Oral administration with sanguinarine to diabetic rats diminished kidney injury markers and improved the tissue morphology. Furthermore, sanguinarine attenuated increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 through downregulation of phosphonuclear factor-kappa B and phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B. Lastly, sanguinarine reversed the effects of streptozotocin on levels of reactive oxygen species, malonaldehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase through upregulation of nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase 1 and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 in kidney of rats. In conclusion, sanguinarine ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in rats through inactivation of nuclear factor-kappa B and activation of nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathways.