Effect of Clitoria ternatea L. Extract on Melatonin, NRF2, and MDA Levels in Diabetic RAT

Abstract

Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms that causes pancreatic damage and the complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Activating Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) is important in protecting pancreatic cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Clitoria ternatea L. (CT) flower was studied for its antioxidative effects in diabetic rats. Indeed, there has not been a lot of study on how CT impacts melatonin levels and NRF2 activity. CT flower was extracted using maceration procedures with 96% ethanol. The male Wistar rats (n=25) were randomly divided into five groups, including the control group, which received normal saline orally for 14 days. Diabetes groups received intraperitoneally (i.p.) streptozotocin (STZ) as a single dose (45 mg/kg, i.p.). Normal saline, CT (100 and 200 mg/kg), and metformin (150 mg/kg) were orally administered to diabetic rats for 14 days. The melatonin, NRF2, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in serum. CT flower extract had no effect on melatonin levels in diabetic rats (p>0.05), but significantly increased NRF2 levels and decreased MDA levels (p<0.05). CT can activate NRF2 and reduce oxidative stress in DM, and its administration may prevent diabetes complications.