Guarana (Paullinia cupana) consumption improves hepatic and renal parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is considered a chronic disease, characterized by the presence of high glycemic concentrations and dyslipidemia or hyperlipidemia caused by absence or deficiency of insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells. Micro and macrovascular complications may lead to nephropathy. Diabetic syndrome and oxidative damage are strongly related. The guarana plant (Paullinia cupana) has been described as an antioxidant agent. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the protective action of the guarana compound on the biochemical profile of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. Method: Twenty-eight male Wistar Furth rats were divided into four groups of seven animals each: The control group (CG) was fed a standard diet; the guarana group (GG) was fed a standard diet supplemented with guarana; the diabetic group (DG) included alloxan-induced diabetic rats fed a standard diet; and the diabetic guarana group (DGG) included alloxan-induced diabetic rats fed a standard diet supplemented with guarana. Induction was performed by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan 150 mg/kg. Results: LDL (CG: 24.64 ± 2,59; GG: 38.93 ± 7.19; DG: 14.9 ± 3.96; DGG: 20.8 ± 4.04 mg/dL); HDL (CG: 14.8 ± 4.86; GG: 13 ± 1.41; DG: 22.5 ± 7.81; DGG: 30.66 ± 9.02 mg/dL); ALT (CG: 31.8 ± 4.81; GG: 22.16 ± 1.83; DG: 38 ± 1.4; DGG: 26.83 ± 2.13 U/L); AST (CG: 101.8 ± 5.07; GG: 117.5 ± 9.73; DG: 183.6 ± 4.21; DGG: 116.16 ± 12 U/L); urea (CG: 51.4 ± 5.03; GG: 42.5 ± 8.24; DG: 129.16 ± 31.72; DGG: 150.5 ± 36.02 mg/dL); creatinine (CG: 0.6 ± 0.12; GG: 0.53 ± 0.05; DG: 0.78 ± 0.11; DGG: 0.61 ± 0.07 mg/dL). Conclusions: Consumption of guarana (Paullinia cupana) by male Wistar Furth rats with alloxan induced diabetes without treatment had a beneficial effect on hepatic and renal function parameters, and raises the possibility of being used as supportive therapy in the treatment of diabetes.