LAUSR

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic complication of diabetes, and thus the present investigation evaluates the nephroprotective effect of anemonin against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (50 mg/kg) on day 2 and 3 postnatal, and rats were kept as such for the duration of 12 weeks. Thereafter, rats were treated with anemonin 75 and 150 mg/kg per oral for the period 4 week which means between the period of 12–16 weeks. Effect of anemonin was estimated by determining the blood glucose, markers of nephropathy, and mediators of inflammation in the serum and activity of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)converting enzyme (TACE) in the kidney tissue of DN rats. Moreover, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were determined in the kidney tissue homogenate of DN rats. Histopathology study was done by Periodic acid-Schiff’s and masson staining for the pathological changes and apoptosis of podocytes in the kidney tissue of DN rats. Moreover, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated in the kidney tissue by 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein staining. Data of study reveal that anemonin significantly reduces (p < 0.01) the blood glucose and markers of renal injury in the serum and urine of DN rats. There was a reduction in the level of cytokines in the serum, and production of ROS and activity of TACE were reduced in the kidney tissue of the anemonin-treated group than in the DN group. Expression of iRhom-2, TACE, TNF-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein and histopathology of kidney tissue were attenuated in the anemonin-treated group in DN rats. In conclusion, data of study reveal that treatment with anemonin ameliorates progression of renal injury by regulating TACE/iRhom-2 signaling pathway.