Polyphenol harmony: Ferulic acid and protocatechuic acid combination attenuates diabetic nephropathy in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an alarming consequence of diabetes mellitus, characterized by progressive kidney dysfunction and damage. Despite advancements in diabetes management, the prevalence of DN remains a significant concern. Natural compounds such as ferulic acid (FA) and protocatechuic acid (PCA) have shown potential in ameliorating diabetic complications. This research paper investigates the individual and combined effects of FA and PCA in an experimental model of DN in rats. Male rats were assigned into five groups: Control, Diabetic control, FAtreated (100 mg/kg, p.o.), PCA-treated (100 mg/kg, p.o.), and FA + PCA-treated groups. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (55 mg/kg, i.p.), and the treatment groups received oral administration of FA, PCA, or their combination for eight weeks. Renal function, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological changes were assessed at the end of the study. The diabetic control group exhibited impaired renal function, increased oxidative stress, and histological abnormalities in the kidney tissues. Treatment with FA, PCA, and FA + PCA significantly improved renal function, as evidenced by reduced serum creatinine, cystatin C, blood urea nitrogen, and urine albumin levels. Moreover, these treatments led to a decline in oxidative stress markers and restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities. The combination of FA and PCA showed a synergistic effect, demonstrating a more pronounced improvement in renal parameters and histological changes compared to individual treatments. These findings highlight the potential renoprotective effects of FA and PCA in diabetic nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]