Comparative Effects of Curcumin versus Nano-Curcumin on histological, immunohistochemical expression, histomorphometric, and biochemical changes to pancreatic beta-cells and lipid profile of Streptozocin induced diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide problem characterized by hyperglycemia as well as the damage of the microscopic structure of the beta-cells of Langerhans pancreatic islets. In the present study, the histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric, and biochemical alterations to pancreatic beta-cells in streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetes were assessed in rats treated with Curcumin (CU) or Nano-Curcumin (nCU). Twenty-four adults male Wistar albino rats were distributed into four groups: the nondiabetic control group, the diabetic untreated group, and two diabetic groups treated with CU or nCU, respectively. Blood glucose, serum insulin levels and lipid profile were measured. The pancreatic tissues were collected and processed into paraffin sections for histological and immunohistochemical examination, oxidative stress markers and real time PCR expression for pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1). The insulin expression in beta-cells was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Morphometrically, the percentage area of anti-insulin antibody reaction and the percentage area of islets cells were determined. STZ-induced deteriorating alteration in beta-cells led to declines in the number of functioning beta-cells and insulin immunoreactivity. In STZ-treated rats, CU and nCU significantly reduced blood glucose concentration while increasing blood insulin level. It also caused a significant increase in the number of immunoreactive beta-cells to the insulin expression and significant reduction of the immunoreactive beta-cells to the caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, CU and nCU could have a therapeutic role in the biochemical and microscopic changes in pancreatic beta-cells in diabetes induced rats through STZ administration with more bio-efficacy of nCUR.

Studying the Ameliorative Effect of Curcumin on the Pancreas, Immunity, and Oxidative Stress of Sodium Flouride Intoxicated Male Albino Rats

“…This can also be explained by curcumin's capacity to dramatically raise insulin levels, reduce blood sugar, and halt the degeneration of pancreatic beta cells. Furthermore, curcumin may stimulate β-cell activity, which would raise insulin secretion (Metawea et al, 2023).…”