Combination of empagliflozin and curcumin ameliorates the induced diabetic nephropathy in male albino rats, through their synergistic anti-diabetic and antioxidative effects

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is considered a global public health burden. We aimed to examine the combined effects of empagliflozin (a conventional drug) and curcumin (a natural compound) in the alleviation of nephropathic changes in diabetic rats, which could be a unique therapeutic strategy. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were randomly assorted into 4 equal groups (10 rats/group): control group, diabetic induction group by streptozocin, empagliflozin group, and empagliflozin plus curcumin group. After the rat's scarification, blood samples were taken to test levels of blood glucose and kidney functions. Fresh kidney specimens were removed and processed to further analyze oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Additionally, histological and immunohistochemical studies were conducted by different stains to detect structural and apoptotic changes. An image-analyzing microscope was used for the assay of the optical density. Results: Diabetes mellitus (DM) deteriorates kidney functions (increased levels of creatinine, urea, and uric acid) and increases oxidative stress, leading to pathological structural changes in the kidney (glomerular dystrophy, tubular affection, and apoptosis). The use of empagliflozin in treating DM alleviates most of those changes, but the combined treatment with empagliflozin plus curcumin enhanced those pathological changes more significantly than empagliflozin alone. Conclusion: Combination of empagliflozin and curcumin ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in rats through their anti-diabetic and antioxidative effects. Keywords: Diabetic nephropathy, Curcumin, Nephropathy, Empagliflozin; Streptozocin.