Moringa Oleifera-sitagliptin co administration neither affects progression nor ameliorates renal complications in alloxan induced diabetic nephropathy in wistar rats

Moringa oleifera (MO) is a globally renowned medicinal plant with several scientifically proven pharmacological benefits including its anti hyperglycemic effects. Due to the challenges of treatment, perceived associated benefits and health systems problems in Africa, herbal drugs are very often co administered with prescription medication. Moringa leaves have been utilized alongside several orthodox drugs for its supposed additive curative benefits including its use alongside orthodox drugs for treatment of diabetes. Sitaglitptin (ST) a DPP4 inhibitor, associated with interstitial nephritis is employed in management of diabetes. In this study, the effect of concurrent administration of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera and sitagliptin on biomarkers in alloxan induced diabetic nephropathy was studied with a view to determine possible delay in progression or amelioration in already established nephropathy. Hyperglycemia was induced using single ip. dose of 150 mg/kg of alloxan. Seven groups of rats (n=6) were used in the study with groups 1 and 2 being distilled water and diabetic controls. Group 3 received sitagliptin 50 mg/kg, while group 4 received MO 300 mg/kg. Group 5 received MO and ST concurrently while group 6 served as ameliorative control with group 6 being the ameliorative MO and ST treated. All animals were treated orally for a total of 42 days, with groups 7 commencing treatment 2 weeks after others. At the end of treatment, animals were humanely euthanized and serum obtained was used to determine urea, albumin and electrolytes levels. Relative kidney weights were also determined. Results of the study showed no significant changes in potassium, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate, comparing all treated groups with both controls. Urea levels were statistically significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with the distilled water controls but treated groups were not significantly different from diabetic controls. Serum albumin levels did not significantly differ from the diabetic controls. However, while the ST, ST-MO and MO groups had significantly elevated relative kidney weights in comparison with the distilled water control, the MO/ST ameliorative group and ameliorative control did not. Data from this study suggests that concurrent M. oleifera-sitagliptin co administration neither affected the progression nor provided ameliorative effects against alloxan induced nephropathy in wistar rats. Although statistically significant differences were not observed, cautionary measures are still recommended with this concurrent herb-drug therapy, particularly with long term administration.