Effect of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) extract on lipid peroxidation and diabetic nephropathy in diabetic rats

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress play important roles in the development of diabetic complications. Regarding the importance of medicinal herbs, the effect of Sumac extract on lipid peroxidation and diabetic nephropathy was explored in this study. In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 six member groups. Control rats were injected with the necessary volume of physiological serum. Group II contracted diabetes by being intraperitoneally injected 120 mg/kg Alloxan.The rats of the third, fourth, and fifth group, in addition to the same treatment, were fed 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Rhus-coriaria L. respectively for 4 weeks. After 28 days of treatment, blood samples were collected from the heart. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as an end product of lipid peroxidation, was determined. In addition, kidney tissues were removed and prepared for histological analysis. The obtained data was analyzed by means of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey statistical test Treatment with the extract of Sumac caused a significant reduction in MDA level in diabetic groups treated, compared with the control and diabetic groups (P<0.05). Moreover, treatment with the extract led also to a significant improvement of side-effects of diabetes mellitus on the distal arterioles of renal tissues in diabetic rats. It was found that sumac decreases lipid peroxidation and kidney damage in diabetic rats.