Evaluation of betanin as a multi-target therapeutic agent against diabetic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, and dyslipidaemia in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus leads to many complications in long term. This study aims to assess the effect of betanin on complications like diabetic kidney disease (DKD), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and dyslipidemia in a streptozotocin (40 mg/kg)-nicotinamide (100 mg/kg) induced rodent models of type 2 DM. METHODS: A total of 48, 4 months old Wistar rats were equally into six groups: Group 1 = Control, group 2 = Disease control, group 3 = metformin (70 mg/kg) treated, group 4 = betanin (50 mg/kg) treated, group 5 = betanin (100 mg/kg), group 6 = metformin (70 mg/kg) + betanin (100 mg/kg). To induce type 2 DM Inj. Nicotinamide (100 mg/kg) i.p. followed by Inj. Streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) i.p. were administered to all rats except control group. On day 7th rats showing blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dL were considered type 2 diabetic. DKD and DPN were assessed by renal function test and thermal allodynia by using hot and cold plate method respectively; while dyslipidemia by monitoring the serum cholesterol. RESULTS: At day 60 and 120, treatment with metformin and betanin individually and as combination therapy caused significant decrease in serum urea levels compared to disease control. Betanin showed significant increase in withdrawal time on hot plate compared to the healthy control, indicating it did not reverse the sensory deficit. Combination group showed promising results for cold plate allodynia against disease control. Treatment with betanin showed a significant decrease in TC and TG levels than disease control rats. CONCLUSIONS: Betanin shows promising therapeutic effect on diabetic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy and dyslipidemia.