Attenuation of the cytotoxic, nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae)

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a health condition whose major feature is hyperglycemia that arises from various etiologies. Diabetes mellitus is connected with constraints in the metabolism of proteins and lipids which leads to complications such as hepatopathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and vasculopathy. Plant resources are utilized for better beneficial curative molecules, minimal side effects and cost. Lepidium sativum (garden cress) is a plant whose parts have been reportedly employed in the treatment of conditions like inflammation, diabetes, pyretism, hemorrhage and hypertension. This histopathological study sought to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of L. sativum on the tissues of the pancreas, kidney, and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Haematoxylin and Eosin Staining method of histopathology was employed and the cytotoxic, nephrotoxic and hepatoxic effects on the pancreatic Islet cells, kidney and liver were attenuated on treatment with different doses of aqueous extracts of L. sativum plant.