Antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects of caffeic acid in a rat model of diabetes

Purpose: To determine the antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential of a natural flavonoid, caffeic acid in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.Methods: Experimental diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin injection. Caffeic acid was administered orally on daily basis for 5 weeks. A glucometer was used to monitor fasting blood glucose levels. Insulin levels were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antioxidant potential of caffeic acid was measured by determining the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in rat liver. Standard assays were performed to determine the lipid profile of the rats. Histopathological analysis was performed to determine differences in microscopic structures of pancreas among the different treatment groups.Results: Caffeic acid administration resulted in significant enhancement of serum insulin level, and decrease in blood glucose level of diabetic rat models (p < 0.05). Caffeic acid exerted antioxidant effects by significantly increasing GSH levels and activities of CAT and SOD (p < 0.05). Histologicalexamination of the pancreas depicted normal islet morphology under caffeic acid administration in diabetic rats.Conclusion: These results reveal the antioxidant potential and anti-diabetic effect of caffeic acid in a diabetic rat model and point towards the potential applicability of caffeic acid in the management of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Streptozotocin, Caffeic acid, Phenolics, Anti-diabetic, Antioxidant