Galangin, a flavonoid recuperates antioxidant status and reduces hyperglycemia mediated oxidative stress in experimental diabetic rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of galangin on hyperglycemia mediated oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in male, adult albino rats of the Wistar strain, by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight (BW)). Galangin (4 mg/kg BW) or glibenclamide (600 µg/kg BW) was administered orally once daily for 45 days to normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Results: A significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), and conjugated dienes (CD) were observed in diabetic rats. The levels of insulin, non-enzymic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione (GSH)) and the activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) were decreased significantly in diabetic rats. These alterations were reverted to near normal level after the treatment with galangin and glibenclamide.

Conclusion: The present study shows that galangin decreased oxidative stress and increased antioxidant status in diabetic rats, which in turn may be due to its antidiabetic and antioxidant potential.