Antidiabetic, Antioxidative and Renoprotective Effects of Rehmanniae Radix preparata Extract in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the effect of Rehmanniae Radix preparata extract on the antioxidant enzymes of kidney and renal function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups including normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), and diabetic treatment with Rehmanniae Radix preparata (DRR). Over a 4-week study period, Rehmanniae Radix preparata aqueous extract was administered orally at 1124 mg/kg BW/day. The serum glucose level in the DRR group was significantly lower (P<0.05) than the DC group. The serum blood urea nitrogen in diabetic groups was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the NC group. The urinary total protein level in the DRR group was significantly lower (P<0.05) than the DC group. The renal xanthine oxidase activity in the DRR group was significantly lower (P<0.01) than the DC group. The renal catalase activity in the DC group was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to the NC group and that was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the DRR group than the DC group. In conclusion, these results indicated that Rehmanniae Radix preparata can prevent or retard the development of diabetic nephropathy via its beneficial effects for correcting the hyperglycemia and favorable effects on antioxidant enzyme system.