Protective effect of pomegranate on histopathology of liver and kidney on generated oxidative stress diabetic induced rats

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been recommended as a contributory factor in complication and progression of diabetes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of pomegranate on histopathology of the streptozotocin -nicotinamide (STZ-NA) generated oxidative stress induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups including non-diabetic, diabetic untreated, diabetic treated with pomegranate, and glibenclamide. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p) administration of STZ 60 mg/kg body weight (b.w), 15 minutes after the i.p injection of NA (120 mg/kg b.w). Histopathological analysis was conducted on the liver and kidney tissues. Results shows that the body weight significantly decreased in the diabetic control group, while there was a significant increase in the diabetic treated groups (P<0.05). Histopathological observation in diabetic group displayed the destruction in normal architecture of the hepatocytes and blood vessels in the diabetic group. These changes included the sign of necrosis, degeneration, dilatation, and inflammation in the central vein and blood vessels in liver shrinkage and lesion in Bowman’s capsule, and tubular inflammation in the kidney. Treatment with Pomegranate acted as an antioxidant thereby reducing these histopathological changes, and protecting hepatic and renal tissues in diabetic rats.