Nephroprotective effects of Equisetum ramosissimum L. extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes is a widespread health issue that impacts people all over the globe. The Equisetum ramosissimum L. plant has numerous traditional uses and pharmacological properties, including antidiabetic effects.The objective of this study was to thoroughly examine the advantages of incorporating extracts from the aerial components of E. ramosissimum to control diabetic nephropathy. The phytochemical constituents of E. ramosissimum extract were explored using phytochemical and HPLC analysis, focusing on phenols and flavonoid content. The effect of plant extract was evaluated on different kidney function parameters linked to diabetic nephropathy (fasting blood glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and urea) in streptozotocin induced-diabetic rats. Histopathological changes in the liver were also examined. The results showed methanol and ethanol extracts of E. ramosissimum have a total content of phenols (equivalent to gallic acid, 7.62 and 8.97 mg/g) and flavonoids (equivalent to quercetin, 8.87 and 12.86 mg/g), respectively. After conducting the UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, it was found that both the methanol and ethanol extracts contained isoferulic acid, ISO-Orientin, myristic acid, linoelaidic acid, rutin, and 3-Glu-7-Rha quercetin. Additionally, isoferulic acid, myristic acid, linoelaidic acid, rutin, and 3-Glu7-Rha quercetin were present in the extracts. The ethanol extract of E. ramosissimum significantly impacted STZ-induced diabetic mice by reducing their fasting blood glucose levels, and their creatinine and urea levels (P < 0.005). In conclusion, E. ramosissimum ethanol extract has shown potential effects to counteract some diabetes consequences on kidney function. Therefore, further studies are required to investigate its effect on other diabetes-related complications.