Oxidative Effects in Streptozotocin-induced Male and Female Mice: The Effect of Garlic Oil and Melatonin

Background: Recent studies have revealed that a hyperglycemia-induced overproduction of superoxide can be the first event in the activation of all pathways involved in the pathogenesis of complications of diabetes. Supplementation of garlic was found to decrease diabetes-induced oxidative stress complications. Studies shown also that melatonin attenuates diabetes‐induced oxidative stress in diabetic induced rabbits and rats.

Objective: In this present study, oxidative stress in diabetic model and the effect of garlic oil or melatonin treatment were examined in both genders' male and females' mice.

Methods: 96 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups including control (C), diabetic (D), melatonin 10 mg/kg (D+M), garlic extract 100 mg/kg (D+G) and combined melatonin and garlic (D+M+G). All treatments were given orally daily for 16 weeks after induction of hyperglycemia by streptozocin (STZ). Fasting blood glucose and antioxidant levels were estimated.

Results: Streptozotocin induced diabetic mice, showed a significant increase of plasma glucose, lipid peroxide and uric acid. Accordingly, significant decreases in the levels of antioxidants ceruloplasmin were found in the plasma of diabetic mice. Treatment of diabetic mice with garlic oil or melatonin for 16 weeks significantly increased plasma levels of ceruloplasmin activities. Lipid peroxides, uric acid, blood glucose was decreased significantly after treatment with garlic oil or melatonin.

Conclusion: The results suggest that garlic oil or melatonin may effectively normalize the impaired antioxidants status in streptozotocin induced diabetes in both males and females mice.