Downregulation of Expression During Apoptosis in the Hippocampus of Diabetic Male Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Effects of Seed Extract.

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis is proposed as a possible mechanism for diabetes-induced hippocampal neuronal cell death. Numerous studies have suggested that the therapeutic properties of plants, such as antioxidant and anti-apoptotic, are effective in improving the complications of diabetes in the hippocampus.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-apoptotic properties of () in the brain hippocampal cells of diabetic rats.

METHODS

In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 8) as follows: Control (C), diabetic (D), harmine (H), diabetic plus harmine (DH), seed extract (S), and diabetic plus seed extract (DS). A single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) was enough to cause diabetes. Seed extract and harmine were given at 150 mg/kg and 6.5 mg/kg, respectively (daily by oral gavage for 28 days). The glucose levels in the blood were measured, and the histological staining of the hippocampus was examined. Percentages of apoptotic hippocampal cells were identified with flow cytometry. and expression was assayed via Real time- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot.

RESULTS

In DH (P = 0.001) and DS (P = 0.01) rats, the mean fasting blood glucose level significantly reduced compared with the D group. and expression at both mRNA and protein levels significantly differed between the D group and other groups (P = 0.01). Harmine and the seed extract considerably reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the hippocampal cells compared to the D group (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Streptozotocin-induced apoptosis in the hippocampus of diabetic rats was reduced by administering the seed extract of . The seed extract and its active ingredient, harmine, could be used as anti-apoptotic drugs.