Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a severe consequence of diabetes mellitus. Liquorice was fermented and deglycyrrhizinated to remove glycyrrhizin; and given the name “fermented deglycyrrhizinated liquorice extract" (FDGL).
Aim of the Work: To study the potential ameliorating role of FDGL on the structural changes in renal cortex of adult male albino rats with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into three equal groups (n=15 per group): Group I (control), group II (diabetic): induction of diabetes was done via streptozotocin injection, and group III (FDGL-treated): after confirmation of diabetes, rats were left untreated for two weeks and then received oral FDGL (0.12 g/kg body weight/day) for another two weeks before being sacrificed. Results: The diabetic group showed some shrunken glomeruli surrounded by wide Bowman's spaces. Other glomeruli were enlarged. Proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) appeared dilated with casts, their lining cells showed focal areas of lost apical brush border, and disruption of basement membrane. The interstitium showed extravasated blood, mononuclear cellular infiltration, and increased collagen fibers. Transmission Electron microscopy showed effacement of the podocytes` foot processes and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. PCTs showed cytoplasmic vacuoles and disorganized mitochondria. Group III showed a histological structure of glomeruli and renal tubules comparable to that of the control group. Conclusion: FDGL extract substantially ameliorated the adverse effects of diabetes on the structure of renal cortex in diabetic rats.