The Antioxidant Effects of Tamarind Fruit Extract Against Hepatic and Renal Function Disorders in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Tamarind contains a good amount of bioactive components with potential health benefits. Therefore, the current study was conducted to analyze the antioxidant effects of tamarind fruit extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The number of experimental rats was 49, which were distributed into seven groups: Group 0 (G0) as a control group, Group 1 (G1) as a diabetic group, Groups 2 and 3 (G2 and G3) as diabetic treatment groups that received aqueous (G2) and ethanolic (G3) tamarind extracts at a dose of 500 mgkg-1 body weight, and Groups 4 and 5 (G4 and G5) as non-diabetic groups that received (aqueous tamarind extract G4, at 500 mgkg-1 body weight) and (ethanolic tamarind extract G5, at 500 mgkg-1 body weight). Group 6 (G6), the diabetic, was treated with insulin at a dose of 6 IU/kg body weight, with all groups having access to food and water ad libitum, and the study period was 30 days. At the study's conclusion, the rats were euthanized, and their serum samples were analyzed for biomarkers, including liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), kidney markers (creatinine and urea), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx), and an indicator of oxidative stress (MDA). The results showed that administration of tamarind extracts (500 mgkg-1 body weight) led to a significant reduction in the liver enzymes levels, creatinine, urea, and MDA in the serum of diabetic rats (G2 and G3), compared to the diabetic group (G1), which exhibited elevated levels of these biomarkers. The results indicate that tamarind extracts possess antioxidant and hepatic and renal-protective properties, mitigating alloxan-induced oxidative stress and organ damage.