Preventive effects of betulinic acid on streptozotocinnicotinamide induced diabetic nephropathy in male mouse

Diabetic nephropathy is defined as a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate, accompanied by proteinuria. Betulinic acid (BA) employs in the treatment and management of diabetes. This study was designed to evaluate the preventive effects of BA on streptozotocinnicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic nephropathy in male mouse.
In this experimental study, 60 adult male NMRI mice (20-25 g) were obtained. Type 2 diabetes induced by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg) 15 minutes after an IP administration of NA (120 mg/kg). Then, mice were divided into six groups; control, diabetes, diabetes BA (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg), and diabetes metformin (200 mg/kg). Twenty-four hours after the last drug administrations, plasma samples were obtained and maintained at −20°C for albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) measurements. Renal tissue was removed, fixed in 10% formalin solution and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
Plasma albumin level decreased in diabetic mice (P BA has a preventing effect on diabetic nephropathy by amelioration of plasma albumin, BUN, Cr and renal histology changes during diabetic situation.