Renoprotective and Antidiabetic Activities of Uncaria sp. Ethanolic Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe chronic disease primarily caused by oxidative stress and the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). This study aims to evaluate the preventive effects of an ethanolic extract of Uncaria sp. on renal oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. This study employed a post-test-only control group design, comprising five experimental groups: a negative control, a positive control (glibenclamide), and three treatment groups that received Uncaria sp. extract at dosages of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW), respectively. The extract was administered orally over 14 days. In this study, blood glucose levels and renal biomarkers of oxidative stress, including methylglyoxal, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), and carbonyl proteins, were analyzed. The results indicated that Uncaria sp. significantly reduced blood glucose levels in all treatment groups, with the 400 mg/kg BW dose producing effects comparable to glibenclamide. Furthermore, renal levels of methylglyoxal, AOPPs, and carbonyl proteins significantly decreased, suggesting that the extract possesses antioxidant and anti-glycation properties. The bioactive compounds in the extract, particularly flavonoids and alkaloids, are likely responsible for these beneficial effects. This study supports the potential of Uncaria sp. as both a nephroprotective and antidiabetic agent. The extract's multifaceted biochemical activity may provide a promising alternative or complementary approach to conventional therapies aimed at minimizing complications associated with diabetes, such as diabetic nephropathy.