AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF GALLIC ACID AND P-COUMARIC ACID ON OXIDATIVE STRESS AND HAEMATOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Persistent hyperglycaemia increases the oxidative stress that may be responsible for the development of haematological complications in patients with diabetes. The present study was designed to assess the protective effects of gallic acid and p-coumaric acid against oxidative stress and haematological alterations in diabetic rats. Experimental type 2 diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of STZ (65 mg/kg b.wt.), after 15 min of i.p. injection of NA (120 mg/kg b.wt.). Rats were randomly allocated into four groups as follows: group I (served as control), group II (served as diabetic), group III (acted as diabetic rats administered gallic acid, 20 mg/kg body weight, daily for six weeks) and group IV (acted as diabetic rats administered p-coumaric acid, 40 mg/kg body weight, daily for six weeks). In diabetic rats, it was found that the levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide significantly increased, while the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase as well as reduced glutathione content were markedly reduced as compared to those of the control ones. Diabetic rats also showed alterations in the red blood cells count, and its related indices indicating anaemic condition and in the total and differential leukocyte count referring to leucocytosis. All these abnormalities were significantly alleviated following the administration of gallic acid and p-coumaric acid. In conclusion, treatment of diabetic rats with gallic acid and p-coumaric acid was markedly diminished the oxidative stress and alleviated the haematological abnormalities that may be attributed to their strong antioxidant activities. Therefore, both compounds can be use as powerful agents against the development of diabetic complications.