Protective Effect of Polysaccharides from Stachys baicalensis on Kidneys of Diabetic Disease Mice

Objective: To explore the protective effect of polysaccharides from Stachys baicalensis(SBP) on the kidneys of diabetic disease mice. Methods: Streptozocin (STZ) induction combined with high-sugar and high-fat feed was used to establish type 2 diabetes mellitus model. After continuous intragastric administration of the mice for 28 d, the body weight and blood sugar of the mice were measured, the kidney index, renal function index(serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, urine protein), and the antioxidant capacity(superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde) of the kidneys were determined and the pathological sections of the kidneys of the mice was observed. The mRNA level of VCAM-1, IL-1β and IL-6 of in kidney of diabetic mice was measured by qRT-PCR method. Results: SBP could significantly reduce the symptoms of diabetes, significantly improve the abnormal body weight, and significantly reduce the fasting blood glucose level and kidney index. The contents of renal function indexes Scr, BUN, and urine protein in the administration group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the contents and vitality of the antioxidant indexes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT)in the kidney tissue significantly increased (P<0.05), inhibiting the production of malondialdehyde (MDA). SBP could inhibit kidney swelling and had a good effect on repairing tissue damage, and it could effectively reduce the mRNA level of VCAM-1, IL-1β and IL-6 of in kidney of diabetic mice. Conclusion: The protective effect of SBP on the kidneys of STZ-induced diabetic disease mice might be related to enhancing the body's antioxidant capacity, inhibiting the body's peroxidative damage, reducing the synthesis of lipid peroxidation, and adjusting the inflammatory cytokines.