Modulatory effect of baicalein on gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Oxidative stress plays the central role in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic complications. The present study aims to investigate the beneficial effect of oral administration of flavone baicalein in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic rats by measuring oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities and expression analysis of antioxidant genes. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of STZ (55 mg /kg b.wt), 15 min after the i.p. administration of NA. At the end of the experimental period, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), activities of antioxidant enzymes and expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in diabetic rats along with serum biochemical parameters namely total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), aspartate transaminase (AST) alanine transaminase (ALT) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Oral administration of baicalein (40 mg/kg b.wt/day) demonstrated a significant ameliorative effect on all studied biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Biochemical findings were corroborated by qPCR expression analysis which showed significant upregulation of antioxidant genes in diabetic rats. These results suggest that baicalein supplementation may reduce diabetes and its complications by suppressing oxidative stress and enhancing gene expression and antioxidant enzyme activities in diabetic rats.

A Systematic Review of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. in the Treatment of Diabetes and Its Complications

“…Isoquercitrin, baicalein, and naringenin lower blood glucose level in vivo. They also increase SOD activity, lower MDA level, and regulate lipid metabolism [112][113][114]. Sinensetin and prunin have inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase [68,115].…”

The Influence of Plant Extracts and Phytoconstituents on Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Gene Expression in the Prevention and Treatment of Impaired Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Complications

“…Thus, administration of baicalein alleviated DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in BALB/c mice via suppression of myocardial oxidative stress and increased myocardial expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1 [ 83 ]. In addition, baicalein application to STZ-NA diabetic rats significantly lowered the blood glucose and HbA1c levels, and increased activities and expression of CAT, SOD, GPx and GSH in the liver, which was even more efficient than in glibenclamide-treated diabetic rats [ 84 ]. Curcumin (flavanoid, from Curcuma longa ) is known to have multiple bioactivities including cardioprotection.…”

“… STZ-NA diabetic rats Lowers blood glucose and HbA1c; increases activities and expression of SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx in the liver. [ 84 ] Obacunone (citrus and plants of the Rutaceae family) Renoprotective effect by preventing HG-induced oxidative damage of renal tubular epithelial cells. HG-treated NRK-52E cells Increases SOD, GSH, CAT levels; down-regulates activity of GSK-3β and up-regulates activity of Nrf-2; enhances mRNA of NQO-1 and HO-1 genes.…”

The improvement of insulin level after hydrogen-rich water therapy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

“…The increase in the free radical product initiated oxidative stress, thus decreasing the level of endogenous antioxidants, such as SOD. Sarkar et al [26] revealed a significant decrease in SOD, GPx, and CAT levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. HW has been explored for its biological properties, especially as an antioxidant.…”