Geraniol ameliorates the progression of high fat-diet/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats via regulation of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax expression.

The study was designed to evaluate the geraniol's effect on the kidney and liver damage triggered by a high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats. Firstly, in vitro inhibitory geraniol's effect against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities was confirmed by in-silico molecular docking, which revealed higher binding affinity toward α-amylase than for α-glucosidase. The protective effect of geraniol with two separate doses (100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt) against diabetes' kidney and liver dysfunctions in Wistar rats was then evaluated. Results indicate that geraniol treatment for 6 weeks instigated a remarkable retrieval of the lipid profile, liver, and kidney function. Geraniol noticeably reinforced the antioxidant enzymes, parameters of oxidative stress of the kidney and liver in this type of diabetes. Also, geraniol treatment prompted a significant reduction in the expression levels of caspase-3 (Casp3) and Bax mRNA. In conclusion, geraniol ameliorates the progress of HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats via dependently upregulating the expression of Bcl-2 and downregulating Casp3 and Bax expression. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Geraniol is a naturally occurring substantial acyclic monoterpenoid compound that has numerous pharmacological activities. The positive effect of geraniol in inhibiting in vitro diabetic markers by a silico molecular docking study was evidenced by illustrating the binding sites of geraniol with both α-amylase and α-glucosidase. This study also focused on the therapeutic impact of geraniol against the damage caused by high fat-diet/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic complications in Wistar rats. Geraniol limits the oxidative stress of liver and kidney tissue, and it might be used as an antiapoptotic agent in type 2 diabetes.