The (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) ameliorates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia - mediated oxidative stress in liver and kidney of alloxan induced diabetic mice

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus has become a serious problem associated with health complications, such as metabolism disorders and liver-kidney dysfunctions. The inadequacies associated with conventional medicines have led to a determined search for alternative natural therapeutic agents. The present study is conducted to evaluate the hypoglycemic, antilipidemic and antioxidant effects of EGCG in surviving diabetic mice.Methods: Alloxan diabetic mice were injected with EGCG. Their bloods were collected and submitted to various biochemical measurements, including blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine and transaminases. Their livers and kidneys were isolated to perform histological analysis.Results: Both EGCG and insulin treatments of diabetic mice resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose level. EGCG supplementation also ameliorated hepatic as well as renal toxicity indices. Moreover, diabetic mice injected by EGCG exhibited significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver and kidney. Histological analyses also showed that it exerted an ameliorative action on these organs and efficiently protected the liver-kidney functions of diabetic mice.Conclusion: The findings revealed that EGCG administration induced attractive curative effects on diabetic mice, particularly in terms of liver-kidney functions. EGCG can, therefore, be considered as a potential strong candidate for future application to treat and prevent diabetes.