Water extract of 1 : 1 mixture of Phellodendron cortex and Aralia cortex has inhibitory effects on oxidative stress in kidney of diabetic rats

Enhanced activity of the lipid peroxidation and oxidative damages have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney complications. We explor ed to determine whether these changes in diabetic kidney could be prevented by water extract of mixture of Phellodendron cortex and Aralia cortex (P55 A). Greatly elevated content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TB ARS) and carbonylated protein in kidneys of diabetic rats were significantl y reduced by P55A treatment. In addition, abnormally low ratio of GSH/GSSG in diabetic kidneys was elevated to almost normal levels by the treatment w ith P55A. These results suggest that P55A extracts exert antioxidant effect by reducing lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation as well as by ele vating the ratio of GSF/GSSG in diabetic kidney. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.