Protection of Curcumin against Streptozocin-Induced Pancreatic Cell Destruction in T2D Rats

Abstract

As a kind of traditional Chinese medicine extract, curcumin has been proven to be effective in inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis in pancreatic islet β cells in the streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus rat model, although the underlying mechanism has not yet been clarified. To examine the effect of curcumin on inflammation and apoptosis in pancreatic islet β cells, we established a type 2 diabetes rat model by feeding the animals a high-fat diet and intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin. The curcumin was administered by intraperitoneal injection. The rat body weight, fasting blood glucose, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests, and insulin tolerance tests were recorded and analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for morphological analysis, and a TUNEL assay was performed to detect the apoptotic cells. The expression levels of proteins related to oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis were detected by Western blotting and ELISA. Curcumin administration significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and promoted recovery of pancreas function in type 2 diabetes rats. In curcumin-treated rats, the pancreatic tissue destruction and apoptosis index were reduced. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, caspase-3, Bax, and malondialdehyde were significantly reduced, and Bcl-2, superoxide dismutase 2, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased. Curcumin inhibited the expression of phosphorylated JNK and NF-κB proteins to block the RAGE/JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, these results indicate that curcumin blocks the phosphorylation of JNK and NF-κB protein to inhibit this signaling pathway, thereby further inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis in pancreatic islet β cells. Curcumin has potential value for the treatment of diabetes.

Effects of electroacupuncture at ST36 and BL20 on the diabetic rat testis

“…Prior studies in this area have shown that TUNEL immunoreactivity in the pancreatic tissue is increased in rat models of type 2 diabetes, which is similar to our findings. 51,52 A decrease in cellular proliferation in the diabetic testicular tissues has been reported in previous studies. 53,54 In addition to type 1 diabetes models, PCNA immunoreactivity has been evaluated in type 2 diabetes models; Ranjan et al 55 reported that the PCNA immunoreactivity in testicular tissue decreased in diabetes.…”

“…Prior studies in this area have shown that TUNEL immunoreactivity in the pancreatic tissue is increased in rat models of type 2 diabetes, which is similar to our findings. 51,52…”

Curcumin (a constituent of turmeric): New treatment option against COVID‐19

“…Therefore, this issue led us to point out the antiapoptotic and the antifibrotic effects of curcumin here. The antiapoptotic effects of curcumin were found in different organ injuries including diabetes, nephrotoxicity, intestinal inflammation, neurotoxicity with several mechanisms (Loganes et al., 2017; Qihui, Shuntian, Xin, Xiaoxia, & Zhongpei, 2020; Soetikno et al., 2019; Sun et al., 2014). Both antiapoptotic and antifibrotic effects of curcumin were shown on the ALI model in mice.…”

Protective Effect of Curcumin Against Pancreatic Islet Injury in Streptozocin Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats: An Experimental Study

“…28 Qihui et al showed that CUR inhibited inflammation and apoptosis in pancreatic islet β cells of diabetic rats. 29 Moreover, there are scientific reports that CUR may be neglected even in high concentrations in human and animals regarding its toxicity. [30][31][32] Our results match up with the study results that CUR is a great antioxidant.…”