Abstract

As incidence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, besides it is associated with complications, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of a traditional botanical, ginseng on diabetes induced alterations in kidney functions. Thirty male rats were used in the study by randomly allocating them into three groups, each of ten rats, namely the control group, diabetes group (D), and diabetes+ ginseng group (DG). The latter two groups were rendered diabetic by I/P injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Daily ginseng extract was administered orally (100 mg/kg BW), one week post streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Ninety days post STZ injection; rats were sacrificed, where serum and kidneys were obtained for determination of metabolic profile, serum electrolytes, kidney function tests, renal tissue enzymes, and renal antioxidant status, together with histopathology. The obtained results revealed a modest improvement in metabolic profile due to ginseng extract administration. However, the kidney functions were greatly improved as evidenced by amelioration of urea nitrogen, creatinine, total protein concentrations and serum electrolytes. Also an increase was noted in renal tissue enzymes and antioxidants with a decrease in malondialdehyde and renal pathology. In conclusion, ginseng extract may be of supportive treatment to combat diabetes complications.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.