Evaluation of Anti-diabetic and Anti-neuropathy Properties of Resveratrol and its Effect on Sirt-1 Expression in Mice

Abstract

Background and purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, impaired insulin secretion or peripheral insulin resistance. Today, many herbal medicines are used in treatment of diabetes. Recently anti-diabetic properties of resveratrol are reported in some studies, but none have evaluated its anti-neuropathy properties and its' effect on Sirt1 gene expression. The aim of this research was to investigate the anti-diabetic and anti-neuropathy properties of resveratrol in mice. Materials and methods: BALB/c mice were divided into 6 groups (n=6 per group). A single dose of 200mg/kg subcutaneous injection of STZ was used to induce diabetes in all groups, except in negative controls which received normal saline. Treatment groups received metformin 300mg/kg and resveratrol 200mg/kg orally by gavage for 21 days. Then, their weight and blood sugar levels were determined and neuropathy test was conducted by hot plate apparatus. After killing and removing their livers and RNA extraction, Sirt1 gene expression was assayed by Real-time PCR. Results: According to the findings, resveratrol significantly reduced blood sugar level and improved peripheral neuropathy which were comparable with metformin (P<0.01). Moreover, Sirt1 expression was increased by resveratrol. Conclusion: Based on these results, resveratrol could be used alongside other treatments of diabetes to decrease the degree of insulin resistance and neuropathy.

Keywords

• resveratrol
• anti-inflammatory
• sirt1 expression
• diabetes
• neuropathy