Eupatilin attenuates diabetic nephropathy by upregulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in diabetic rat kidney

Purpose: To evaluate the nephro-protective effect of eupatilin in diabetic nephropathic (DN) rats. Method: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg) and confirmed by fasting blood glucose results, while DN was determined by measuring serum urea and creatinine levels on day 40 after STZ administration. The eupatilin-treated group received eupatilin at 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o. for 20 days, after which blood levels of some biochemical parameters, glomerulosclerosis index, eosinophilic cast index, and expression of MMP-9 were determined using standard procedures. Results: Treatment with eupatilin significantly decreased serum levels of glucose, creatinine and urea, and increased creatinine clearance, compared to the negative control group. Moreover, eupatilin attenuated changes in kidney histopathology, and significantly enhanced the expression of MMP-9 in the kidney tissues of the DN rats, relative to negative control group. Conclusion: These results indicate that eupatilin attenuates renal failure in STZ-induced DN rats by upregulating the expression of MMP-9.