Salvia hispanica L. seeds extract alleviate encephalopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: role of oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, DNA and histological indices.

CONTEXT: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder and may lead to cognitive dysfunctions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to evaluate the potency of Salvia hispanica L. seeds (S. hispanica L.) (chia seeds) petroleum ether extract in attenuating brain complications associated with streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical composition of the seeds extract, macro and micro elements, vitamins, protein, carbohydrate and caloric values were estimated. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight (b.wt)). Glibenclamide as a reference drug was also evaluated. The biochemical evaluation was done by measuring levels of glucose, insulin, α- amylase, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HD), noradrenaline (NE), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), DNA fragmentation pattern and the histopathological profile of the brain hippocampus region. RESULTS: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed the presence of twenty-five fatty acid esters and twenty-two compounds. Column chromatography led to the isolation of nine compounds. Treatment with the seeds extract revealed improvement of the measured parameters with variable degrees. CONCLUSION: Chia seeds extract succeeded to attenuate the neurodegeneration in diabetic rats. Thereafter, it had a therapeutic effect and could be potentially used as a new dietary supplement against diabetic encephalopathy.