Abstract

IRON-QUERCETIN COMPLEX REDUCES LIPID AND PROTEIN OXIDATION IN STREPTOZOTOCIN DIABETIC RATS COMPLICATIONS INDEPENDENTLY TO GLUCOSE LOWERING.

Berroukeche Farid, Mokhtari-Soulimane Nassima*, Imessaoudene Asmahan,
Cherrak Ahmed Sabri, Merzouk Hafida and Elhabiri Mourad

ABSTRACT

Chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes mellitus causes toxic effects on organs and leads to diabetes complications. Quercetin, a polyphenolic compound ubiquitously distributed in vegetables, is capable to complex pro-oxidant metal cations like iron (II/III) and subsequently enhances its antioxidant potencies to scavenge free radicals. The antioxidant and multitarget therapeutic potencies of these metallic complexes have not been exactly elucidated in vivo yet. Herein, we investigate the possible anti-redox effect of ferrous/ferric quercetin complexes on streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats during eight weeks of experiment. Eight groups of Wistar rats weighing 200-280g were used. Control groups C, CQ, CFe and CX received by gavage, 1 ml/day of solvent, 25 mg/kg/day of quercetin, 2.5 mg/kg/day of iron and ironquercetin complex, respectively. Diabetic groups D, DQ, DFe, DX received the same treatment like control groups in addition to a single injection of 45 mg/kg of STZ ip. The results suggest that iron-quercetin gavage enhanced serum total protein, transaminase (AST, ALT) activities and catalase activity in kidney and erythrocyte. However, iron-quercetin complex reduced serum albumin, triglyceride and glutathione in erythrocyte. Attenuation of TBARS and carbonyl proteins levels in erythrocytes and organs (liver, kidney, adipose tissue,) were also found in treated rats. Oral administration of complex decreased the catalase activity in adipose tissues and plasma vitamin C. to sum-up, iron-quercetin complex decreased TBARS and carbonyl proteins levels in organs and erythrocytes but not serum glucose levels. The antioxidant mechanism of iron-quercetin complex is independent from glucose lowering levels in diabetic animals.

Keywords: Experimental diabetes, Streptozotocin, Redox stress, Iron-quercetin complex, Stoichiometry.