Centella asiatica improves Kim-1, eNOS and GPX-1 kidney mRNA expression in diabetes mellitus rat model

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications in diabetes Mellitus. Hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation cause abnormal oxidative stress deposition that leads to the decrease of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) and endothelial Nitric Oxide synthetase (eNOS). It was reported that Centella asiatica has an anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory effect. However little is known about Centella asiatica effect in the kidney of DM. The objective of this study was to know the effect of Centella asiatica extract on Kim-1 (marker of kidney damage), GPx1 and eNOS mRNA expression in the kidney of DM rat model. Methods: Wistar DM rat model was divided into 6 groups namely non-DM group, DM group, DM with captopril and another DM group treated with Centella asiatica with three different dosages (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW). The treatment was given for 8 weeks. The Kim-1, GPx1 and eNOS expression was measured using semi-quantitative PCR. Results: The DM group showed higher Kim-1 kidney mRNA expression but lower GPx1 and eNOS kidney mRNA compare to those on the non-DM group. Administration of Centella asiatica improves the expression of Kim-1, GPx1 and eNOS kidney mRNA expression in DM rat model. Conclusion: Centella asiatica has the potential to prevent kidney damage in DM rat model by improving Kim-1, GPx1 and eNOS kidney mRNA expression. © 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.