Antioxidant phenolic compounds from seeds of Hordeum vulgare Linn. ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of hydroalcoholic extract and fractions of Hordeum vulgare Linn. (H. vulgare, Da Mai) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy in Sprague–Dawley rat models. Methods: The study involved preliminary phytochemical screening of extract and fractions, estimation of secondary metabolites, chromatographic studies using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), antioxidant potential using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide radical scavenging and reducing power methods along with the determination of potential against diabetic nephropathy in STZ-induced rat models. Results: The phytochemical evaluation of the hydroalcoholic extract of H. vulgare and fractions revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and glycosides. The chromatographic analysis indicated the peak complementing marker compound epicatechin and significant antioxidant activity in the extract and aqueous fraction. STZ-induced rats showed abnormal levels of serum albumin, creatinine, total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and triglycerides, and urine albumin and creatinine, which returned to normal after 8 weeks of treatment with hydroalcoholic extract (400 mg/kg) and aqueous fraction (50 mg/kg) of H. vulgare. Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract (400 mg/kg) and aqueous fraction (50 mg/kg) of H. vulgare have significant antioxidant potential and positive effects on diabetic nephropathy. The fractionation and optimization increase the concentration of polyphenols in aqueous extract, causing a decrease in the dose required for effects against diabetic nephropathy.

Keywords

• Fractionation
• HPLC
• DPPH
• Nitric oxide radical scavenging
• Serum albumin
• Creatinine