Heteroxenia ghardaqensis Extract Protects against DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Experimental Diabetes

Abstract

DNA damage is correlated to type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications via oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of Heteroxenia ghardaqensis extract on streptozotocin (STZ) induced-diabetes and how far can this extract attenuate DNA damage in this model. Forty male albino rats (160-180 g) were used in this study and divided into four groups: control, diabetic, diabetic rats received H. ghardaqensis extract (30 mg/kg body weight/day) orally for four weeks and diabetic rats received H. ghardaqensis extract (60 mg/kg body weight/day) orally for four weeks. After the experimental period, fasting blood sugar and serum cholesterol were determined. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) as a marker of DNA damage was estimated by reversed phase (HPLC). Liver and kidney nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. Pancreatic tissues were histopathologicaly examined. Our results suggested that diabetes mellitus is accompanied by elevation of DNA damage that enhances the tendency to mutagens and reduce the efficacy of DNA repair. H. ghardaqensis extract appeared to be effective against the oxidative stress induced by STZ which may be due to sesquiterpenoids and diterpenes compounds that scavenge free radicals and increase the antioxidant enzymes as appeared in attenuation of DNA damage.