RESUMEN
Background Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by oxidative stress and impaired glycemic control. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis diets in diabetic Wistar rats and assesses their impact on oxidative stress markers and blood glucose levels. Methods In this experiment, eight groups of six male Wistar rats (n = 12.5%), aged 8 to 12 weeks, were carefully set up to see how different treatments for diabetes and oxidative stress affected the two conditions. The random selection process was implemented to minimize any potential bias and ensure that the results of the study would be representative of the general population of Wistar rats. The groups were as follows: a nondiabetic control group (NDC) served as the baseline, while diabetes was induced in the alloxan monohydrate group (150 mg/kg). Another group was given the standard drug metformin (M, 100 mg/kg), and two control groups that did not have diabetes were given extracts of Theobroma cacao (TC, 340 mg/kg) and Camellia sinensis (CS, 200 mg/kg). Three groups of diabetic rats were given a mix of these treatments. Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis extracts were given at set doses (TC, 340 mg/kg; CS, 200 mg/kg), along with 150 mg/kg of a drug that causes diabetes. Over a 21-day period, oxidative stress parameters such as glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GSHrd) levels, and blood glucose were carefully measured to check for signs of oxidative stress and diabetes progression Results Considerable differences in GSH levels were noted across the groups, with the highest GSH concentration found in the group treated with the inducing drug, while the lowest GSH levels were observed in the diabetic group that was administered both Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis (p < 0.001). MDA levels also varied, with the diabetic group treated with Theobroma cacao having the highest MDA concentration (3.54 ± 0.29 µmol/L) and the nondiabetic control group treated with Camellia sinensis exhibiting the lowest MDA levels (1.66 ± 0.08 µmol/L; p < 0.001). SOD activity was highest in the standard drug group and lowest in the diabetic group treated with Theobroma cacao. GSH activity was notably higher in the diabetic groups that received dietary interventions (p < 0.001). Blood glucose levels showed diverse responses, with the standard drug group experiencing a substantial reduction, while the inducing drug group exhibited a consistent increase. Conclusion The study highlights the significant impact of dietary interventions with Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis on oxidative stress markers and blood glucose regulation in diabetic Wistar rats. These findings suggest a potential role for these dietary components in mitigating oxidative stress and improving glycemic control in diabetes, although further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.
RESUMEN
Background Diabetes mellitus is often associated with neurohistopathological changes, resulting in cognitive deficits. This study aimed to explore the neurohistopathological alterations induced by Theobroma Cacao and Camellia Sinensis extracts in diabetic male Wistar rats. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 64 male Wistar rats aged between 8 and 12 weeks were allocated evenly into eight different groups. The first group, consisting of eight rats, served as the control, receiving only a standard diet with no additional treatment. The second group was treated with 150mg/kg body weight of alloxan to induce a diabetic model. The third group received a metformin treatment at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight. The fourth and fifth groups were administered with Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis extracts, respectively, at respective doses of 340 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight. Groups six and seven were diabetic models treated with either Theobroma cacao extract (340 mg/kg) or Camellia sinensis extract (200 mg/kg). The eighth group, another diabetic model, was treated with a combination of both extracts at the same doses. Brain tissues were harvested at the end of an eight-week treatment period for histopathological evaluation. Cresyl violet staining was the method used for histopathological examination of the harvested brain tissues. Results Histopathological evaluations revealed normal neuronal structures in the control group. Alloxan-treated rats displayed significant neurodegeneration, including vacuolization and apoptosis. Metformin treatment showed moderate improvements in the neural architecture. Remarkably, Theobroma Cacao and Camellia Sinensis extracts exhibited protective effects against neurodegeneration in both non-diabetic and diabetic rats. Furthermore, a combination of both extracts in diabetic rats led to synergistic improvements in the neural structures, closely approximating normal conditions. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among the groups (F(7,56) = 24.11, p < 0.001). A Tukey post hoc test further indicated significant improvements in Metformin, Theobroma Cacao, and Camellia Sinensis-treated groups compared to the alloxan-induced diabetes model. Conclusions Both Theobroma Cacao and Camellia Sinensis extracts unveiled notable promise in countering the neurohistopathological alterations spurred by diabetes in the study. This pioneering observation accentuates the innovative possibility of utilizing these natural extracts as potential therapeutic agents for neural complications in diabetes mellitus. The compelling findings of this study contribute significantly to the existing body of research and emphatically advocate for further exhaustive exploration into the mechanistic actions of Theobroma Cacao and Camellia Sinensis extracts. The understanding gleaned from such in-depth studies could revolutionize the approach to managing and treating neural complications associated with diabetes, thereby enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals.
