The nephroprotective potential of Indian kudzu in diabetics

The tubers of Indian kudzu (Pueraria tuberosa) contain natural antioxidants and apoptotic compounds that can protect the kidneys of diabetics from harm. This was reported by Indian researchers, who tested that kidney-protective activity in rats with Streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The researchers were supported by the Banaras Hindu University. They published their findings in the journal BCC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Indian kudzu tubers were processed into aqueous extract. Analysis determined that there were 37 phytochemicals compounds in the extract.
• Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were treated with zero, 50, or 100 milligrams of aqueous extract for every 100 grams of body weight. The treatment lasted for 20 days before they were sacrificed. Samples of kidney tissue were taken from the animals.
• Diabetic rats that did not receive any treatment showed greater amounts of reactive oxygen species and lipoproteins. They also displayed weaker activity in terms of their antioxidant enzymes.
• The combination of lower antioxidant enzyme activity and higher levels of free radicals led to high levels oxidative stress in the kidneys of diabetic rats. This caused apoptosis of kidney cells.
• The extract boosted the effectiveness of antioxidant enzymes. It protected the kidney cells from oxidation and apoptosis. Finally, it stopped the excretion of urinary albumin. The effectiveness depended on the dose of the extract, with the 100 mg/100 g dose being the most effective.

They concluded that the water-based extract of Indian kudzu contains bioactive compounds that prevent oxidative stress and apoptosis in the kidneys of diabetic rats, thereby protecting the organs from harm.

The full study may be browsed at this link.

More stories about Indian kudzu and other healing plants can be found at NaturalMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Shukla R, Banerjee S, Tripathi YB. ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIAPOPTOTIC EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PUERARIA TUBEROSA (ROXB. EX WILLD.) DC. ON STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY IN RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 11 May 2018;18(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2221-x.