Objective: To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of buckwheat flavones on diabetic nephropathy rats. Method: The model of diabetic nephropathy rats was made by intraperitoneally injecting alloxan once per week for 3 times. The rats were randomly divided into the model control group

the buckwheat flavones groups (50

100

200 mg · kg-1)

the irbesartan group (25 mg · kg-1) and the normal group. The rats were intragastrically administrated of the corresponding medicines once daily for 12 weeks. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 24-h urine protein were determined every 3 weeks. The levels of serum creatinine (SCr)

blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

triglyceride (TG)

total cholesterol (TC) in serum were tested by auto analyzer

and the levels of fructosamine (FTS)

advanced glycation end products (AGEs)

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) in kidney tissues were tested after the treatment. Result: Compared with the normal group

FBG and 24-h urine protein increased continuously

the levels of SCr

BUN

TG

TC in serum and FTS

AGEs

MDA in kidney tissues decreased

the SOD level increased (P<0.05

P<0.01)

and kidney tissues were injured remarkably in model control group. Compared with the model control group

the buckwheat flavones could improve the above indexes (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: The buckwheat flavones have protective effects on diabetic nephropathy rats

and its mechanisms are in part associated with reducing blood glucose

blood lipid

and decreasing non-enzymatic glycosylation and oxidative stress.