Curcumin protects islet beta cells from streptozotocin­induced type 2 diabetes mellitus injury via its antioxidative effects.

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes rodent models are widely used to study the pathogenesis and metabolic function in diabetes (DM). The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant effect of curcumin in STZ-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this research, rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (8 in each group): a nondiabetic group (Control), a diabetic group (DM), and a curcumin treatment group (DM + Cur 200 mg/kg group). Meanwhile, after intraperitoneal injection (i.p.), associated-oxidative stress parameters were observed, malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) were restored in pancreatic tissues of curcumin-treated DM rats. In addition, curcumin improved the survival and function of islet cells with decreased cell apoptosis in Langerhans islet and increased insulin secretion in the STZ-induced T2DM rat model. Our findings suggest that curcumin is a potent candidate for the prevention and therapy of DM.