Protective effect of betanin against streptozotocin - nicotinamide induced liver, kidney and pancreas damage by attenuating lipid byproducts and improving renal biomarkers in Wistar rats

Objective: We attempted to determine whether betanin (from natural pigments) that has antioxidant properties would be protective against diabetes induced by streptozotocin-nicotinamide in adult Wistar rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 45 mg/kg b.w.) dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5) 15 min after the i.p. administration of nicotinamide (NA; 110 mg/kg b.w.). Experimental rats were administered betanin at the dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. and glibenclamide (600 g/kg b.w.) once a day for 30 days. Results: Untreated diabetic rats showed significantly increased levels of plasma glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), urea, uric acid, creatinine and decreased levels of plasma insulin. Co-administration with betanin to the diabetic rats showed improved levels of plasma glucose, insulin, lipid peroxidation byproducts (LPO) and kidney biomarkers enzymes when compared to untreated diabetic rats. Moreover, histological study of kidney revealed the effect of betanin in diabetic rats. Similar kind of experimental results were obtained in glibenclamide treated diabetic rats. Conclusion: According to our current study, betanin had a beneficial role against the diabetes induced by STZ-NA in rats.