Anti-inflammatory effects of tyrosol in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

The anti-inflammatory effect of tyrosol (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)), a phenolic compound in olive oil (20 mg/kg body weight), in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat was evaluated. Diabetic rats showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma glucose and lipid peroxidation products and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in plasma insulin and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the liver and pancreas. The levels of inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein in plasma and protein expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B p65, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in the liver and pancreas were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conversely, daily oral treatment with tyrosol for 45 days significantly (P < 0.05) restored all the above mentioned parameters to near normal levels. The immunohistochemical studies confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of tyrosol. Tyrosol exerts anti-inflammatory effects on the liver and pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic rats via its antioxidant activity, hence it may play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus.