News — A team of researchers have published in the that a new natural extract is able to inhibit the development of diabetic nephropathy, a kidney disease that is increasing in incidence throughout the world.
"The new extract of natural origin, obtained from red oranges and lemons, is rich in cyanidin 3-glucoside and other polyphenols,” says Prof. Roberto Ciarcia, MV, associate professor of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University of Naples Federico II. “This discovery opens new perspectives to limit kidney damage induced by type II diabetes mellitus and to block the development of diabetic nephropathy.”
The study, “,” first published online on May 29, 2019, describes how the extract successfully restored the blood glucose levels, body weight, and normalized oxidative stress on renal function in a test group of Zucker diabetic fatty rats.
The study authors include collaborators from the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University Federico II of Naples and from the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), at the Center for Biotechnology, Temple University in Philadelphia.
“My research group, through the sophisticated technique of renal micropuncture conducted by Sara Damiano, first author of the study, has evaluated at the tubular level the mechanism involved during diabetic nephropathy and has discovered an important protective effect of this new extract,” says Prof. Salvatore Florio, full professor of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University of Naples Federico II. “It is important to underline that this compound was obtained in collaboration with the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center for Olive, Citrus and Tree Fruit, Acireale.”
"The ability of the new extract to reduce the renal damage is remarkable, considering that diabetic nephropathy could induce kidney failure. We hope that this new extract can be a useful compound to fight the progression of diabetic nephropathy and allow an improvement in the quality of life of patients with type II diabetes mellitus," concludes Damiano.
About the Sbarro Health Research Organization
The Sbarro Health Research Organization () is non-profit charity committed to funding excellence in basic genetic research to cure and diagnose cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic illnesses and to foster the training of young doctors in a spirit of professionalism and humanism. To learn more about the SHRO please visit
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