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Background and purpose: Oxidative stress caused by cytokine exposure is a major cause of pancreatic islet death in vitro and of diabetogenesis. Antioxidant compounds may prevent cytokine-induced damage to islet cells. Hence, we studied the potential of curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, in vitro to protect islets against pro-inflammatory cytokines and in vivo to prevent the progression of diabetes induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-STZ). Experimental approach: Pancreatic islets from C57/BL6J mice were pretreated with curcumin (10 mM) and then exposed to a combination of cytokines. Islet viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO, inducible NO synthase and NF-kB translocation were studied. Curcumin pretreated (7.5 mg kg À1 day À1 ) C57/BL6J mice were given MLD-STZ (40 mg kg À1 ), and various parameters of diabetes induction and progression were monitored. Key results: Curcumin protected islets from cytokine-induced islet death in vitro by scavenging ROS and normalized cytokineinduced NF-kB translocation by inhibiting phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IkBa). In vivo, curcumin also prevented MLD-STZ, as revealed by sustained normoglycaemia, normal glucose clearance and maintained pancreatic GLUT2 levels. Pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in the serum and pancreas were raised in STZ-treated animals, but not in animals pretreated with curcumin before STZ. Conclusions and implications:Here, we have demonstrated for the first time that curcumin in vitro protects pancreatic islets against cytokine-induced death and dysfunction and in vivo prevents STZ-induced diabetes.

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Development of new and effective wound dressing materials continues to be an area of intense research in wound care management. ​Fabricated ZnO doped nanofibrous scaffold exhibited proficiency in EPCs enrichment and wound healing.