Antioxidative stress and nephroprotective activity of leaf fractions of Setaria megaphylla in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Abstract

Setaria megaphylla (Steud) Dur & Schinz (Poaceae), a medicinal plant used traditionally to treat diabetes was investigated for antioxidative stress and renoprotective potentials against alloxan-induced kidney injuries in diabetic rats. Standard biochemical and histological methods were used to determine oxidative stress markers levels, kidney function indices and kidney histopathology, which were used as parameters to evaluate antioxidative stress and renoprotective activities of the leaf fractions (200 mg/kg). Significantly (p<0.05 – 0.001) increased levels of kidney oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH) and decreased MDA level were caused by the leaf fractions in the treated-diabetic rats. Creatinine and urea levels were also significantly (p<0.05-0.001) reduced, while electrolytes levels were not significantly (p>0.05) reduced when compared to control. Kidney histology revealed absence or significant reductions in pathological features in the treated diabetic rats relative to untreated diabetic rats. The results suggest that the leaf fractions of Setaria megaphylla possess antioxidative stress and nephroprotective potentials due to the antioxidant activities of their phytochemical constituents.