Hydroalcoholic extract of Benincasa hispida reinstates renal functional dynamics compromised under diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of type 2 diabetes. Over time, poorly controlled diabetes can lead to permanent kidney failure. Hyperglycemic condition develops with consistent consumption of high fat diet (HFD). The present study focuses on impact of hyperglycemia on overall kidney development and functioning through whole renal tissue transcriptomics and proteomics profiling. We used C57BL/6 mice for developing HFD-fed hyperglycemic mice to develop type 2 diabetes with renal complications. In the initial observation of blood serum from HFD-fed mice, elevated levels of plasma glucose, triglyceride, urea, cholesterol, and decreased level of creatinine, confirmed the diabetic condition. Benincasa hispida (BH) hydroalcoholic extract was used as treatment option in this study. Our phytochemical analysis showed the presence of wide range of bioactive phytochemical belonging to classes of flavonoid, alkaloid, phenolic, triterpenoid, xanthones, Cucurbitacin E, etc. makes it the perfect herb for various pharmacological uses against kidney diseases. In proteomics and transcriptomics studies, renal structural damage under hyperglycemia was identified through significant downregulation of cytoskeletal organization, microtubules, vesicle transport system, extracellular matrix, and cell-cell adhesion. Downregulation of lipid metabolism and mitochondrial transport system compromised the energy production potential of the renal cellular system, and subsequently the compromised system under hyperglycemia triggered the oxidative stress and various other complications. The present study showcasing the potential of Benincasa hispida as a promising treatment strategy against diabetic nephropathy by reversing the negative impact of hyperglycemia.