Hepatoprotective Effects of Curcumin on Liver Injury in Streptozocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronically elevated blood sugar levels associated with disruption of the inflammatory and oxidative state and dyslipidemia. Curcumin is a highly pleiotropic molecule with hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two adult male rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), Diabetes (D), Curcumin (CUR), and Diabetes + Curcumin (D + CUR) (n = 8). The groups given curcumin were given 60 mg/kg curcumin by gavage once a day during the 14-day study period. At the end of the experiment, biochemical, stereological, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on blood and liver samples taken from rats sacrificed. Results: After curcumin treatment in diabetic rats, there was a significant decrease in blood glucose levels, hepatic markers, and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a significant increase in enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase was observed after treatment (P < 0.01). It was determined that curcumin decreased the apoptotic index and the number of dual-nucleated hepatocytes in the liver, and provided support for liver regeneration (P < 0.01). Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that curcumin has the potential to protect against hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver cells, and also induces regeneration in damaged liver.