RENOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF OCIMUM SANCTUM IN COMPARISON WITH OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL AND PITAVASTATIN IN METFORMIN TREATED DIABETIC RATS

Nephropathy is an important comorbidity associated with diabetes leading to chronic kidney disease. We studied the effect of Ocimum sanctum in comparison to Olmesartanmedoxomil, Pitavastatin and their combination in prevention of this comorbidity. Male Wistar rats were given streptozotocin to induce diabetes and randomly divided into groups. Group 1 (Control group) received Metformin (94.5mg/kg/day)+Distilled Water, Group 2 received Metformin (94.5mg/kg/day) +Ocimum sanctum (250 mg/kg/day), Group 3 received Metformin (94.5mg/kg/day) + Olmesartanmedoxomil(1.80 mg/kg/day), Group 4 received Metformin (94.5mg/kg/day) + Pitavastatin (0.18 mg/kg/day) and Group 5Metformin (94.5mg/kg/day) + Olmesartanmedoxomil (1.80 mg/kg/day)     + Pitavastatin (0.18 mg/kg/day). The effects of Metformin alone and with Ocimum sanctum, Olmesartanmedoxomil, Pitavastatin and their combination on blood glucose and renal function test parameters were assessed. All groups showed decrease in fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin. Serum urea and creatinine were increased in the Control group. However, significant improvement in all the parameters studied were seen when Ocimum sanctum, Olmesartan or Pitavastatin were added. Histopathological examination of kidney showed mesangial proliferation, tubular swelling, thickened glomerular basement membrane, hypertrophy in glomerular tufts andhydropic degeneration in control group and improvement in all treatment groups. The best results were seen in Ocimum sanctum and Olmesartan+Pitavastatin groups. Metformin alone does not prevent derangement of renal function and histological changes in the kidney in diabetes mellitus. These changes can be prevented by addition of Olmesartan and Pitavastatin or Ocimum sanctum