BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes mellitus. Both can damage the brain. Mango and its by-products are sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that mango cv. 'Ataulfo' peel and pulp mitigate oxidative stress in the brain of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. RESULTS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, untreated diabetic (UD), diabetic treated with a mango-supplemented diet (MTD), and diabetic pretreated with a mango-supplemented diet (MPD). The rats were fed the different diets for 4 weeks after diabetes induction (MTD), or 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after induction (MPD). After the intervention, serum and brain (cerebellum and cortex) were collected to evaluate gene expression, enzyme activity, and redox biomarkers. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression increased in the cortex of the MTD group, whereas glutathione-Stransferase p1 (GSTp1) expression was higher in the cortex of the MTD group, and cortex and cerebellum of the MPD group. SOD1 activity was higher in the cerebellum and cortex of all diabetic groups, whereas GST activity increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the MPD group. Lipid peroxidation increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the UD group; however, a mangosupplemented diet prevented this increase in both regions, while also mitigating polyphagia and weight loss, and maintaining stable glycemia in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: We propose that mango exerts potent neuroprotective properties against diabetes-induced oxidative stress. It can be an alternative to prevent and treat biochemical alterations caused by diabetes.

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