Renal Protective Effects of <i>Passiflora edulis</i> in a Rat Model of Fructose-induced Diabetes

Background: The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is escalating rapidly, with fructose consumption emerging as a significant risk factor for metabolic disorders. Extract of Passiflora edulis (EPE) (passion fruit) has gained attention for its potential therapeutic benefits in managing diabetes. Aim: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of EPE in mitigating fructose-induced diabetic complications. Methods: Acute oral toxicity tests revealed the safety of EPE up to 5000 mg/kg. Subsequent pharmacological studies demonstrated that EPE treatment significantly reduced glycated haemoglobin levels and kidney index in fructose-fed rats. Results: EPE administration effectively ameliorated renal dysfunction by decreasing serum creatinine, uric acid, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and urea levels. Additionally, EPE treatment attenuated pro-inflammatory mediators, C Reactive Protein (CRP), Tumour Necrosis- Alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin (IL-6) levels in fructose-fed rats. Histopathological analysis further supported the protective effects of EPE, showing improvements in kidney morphology. These findings suggest that EPE has the potential to mitigate fructose-induced renal damage and may offer therapeutic benefits in diabetes management. Conclusion: Further research is warranted to explore the clinical applications of EPE in diabetic patients.