Antioxidant effect of pomegranate against streptozotocin-nicotinamide generated oxidative stress induced diabetic rats

• Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants of the polyphenolic class.
• Supplementation of pomegranate increased plasma insulin levels and reduced glucose levels.
• Pomegranate reversed the concentration markers oxidative stress.
• Treatment with pomegranate increased the level of enzymatic antioxidant.
• Histopathological observation supports protection of hepatic tissue in diabetic rats.

Oxidative stress attributes a crucial role in chronic complication of diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective part of pomegranate on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities against streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p), 15 min after the i.p administration of NA. Diabetic rats showed significant increase in plasma glucose level, and the significant decrease in plasma insulin level. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) reduced while the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress such as gamma-glutamyle transferase (GGT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in diabetic control rats as compared to normal control rats. Oral treatment with pomegranate seed-juice for 21 days demonstrated significant protective effects on all the biochemical parameters studied. Besides, biochemical findings were supported by histopathological study. These results revealed that pomegranate has potential protective effect against oxidative stress induced diabetic rats.