Myricetin is a naturally occurring
flavonoid that is known to decrease plasma
glucose levels in diabetes; however, its influence on renal functions has not yet been determined. This study investigated the effect of
myricetin on structural and functional changes occurring in
diabetic nephropathy. Male Albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: normoglycemic, diabetic and
myricetin-treated diabetic. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of
streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), and rats having fasting
blood glucose (FBG) levels greater than 200 mg/dl were included in the study. Treatment of
myricetin (6 mg/day ip) was initiated 16 weeks after diabetes was confirmed. Light microscopy was performed on
hematoxylin-
eosin- and Masson's trichrome-stained sections to evaluate the effect of
myricetin on structural changes in the kidney, while
creatinine clearance, blood
urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney weight, urine volume and
protein were measured to assess kidney functions. Activities of
glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and
xanthine oxidase (XO) were also measured in renal tissues obtained from all experimental groups.
Myricetin treatment significantly decreased glomerulosclerosis and reduced BUN, urinary volume and
protein excretion, which was profoundly increased in diabetic rats. Decreased
creatinine clearance measured in diabetic rats was significantly increased following
myricetin treatment.
Myricetin also restored altered renal activities of GPx and XO, which were decreased and increased in diabetic rats, respectively. In conclusion,
myricetin improved altered renal functions and restored renal activities of GPx and XO in diabetic rats. Obtained data suggest that
myricetin could be of therapeutic potential in
diabetic nephropathy.