Geraniin ameliorates streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy in rats via modulating retinal inflammation and oxidative stress

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the major complication of diabetes, which causes acquired vision loss in the working-age group population. Objective: Here, we planned to address the therapeutic roles of geraniin against the streptozotocin (STZ)-challenged DR in rats Methodology: The DR was induced in the animals by 60 mg/kg of STZ, and then treated with 25 mg/kg of geraniin for 60 days. Later, bodyweight, food consumption, and blood glucose levels were investigated. The levels of antioxidants, MMP-9, MCP-1, and VEGF, and inflammatory cytokine status were measured using marker-specific kits. The morphometric study was conducted to assess the retinal thickness. The pancreatic tissues were analyzed microscopically. Results: Geraniin reduced the blood glucose (270.36 ± 81 mg/dL), hemoglobin, and enhanced bodyweight (261.93 ± 72 g)in the DR rats. The antioxidant levels in the STZ-challenged DR rats were substantially improved by geraniin. Geraniin also decreased inflammatory cytokines, MCP-I, MMP-9, and VEGF levels and enhanced the retinal thickness. A histological study demonstrated that geraniin reduced the pancreatic islet cell damage in STZ-induced DR rats. Conclusion: Our outcomes witnessed that geraniin reduced retinal inflammation and oxidative stress in the STZ-induced DR rats.

Keywords

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Geraniin
• Oxidative stress
• Inflammation
• Streptozotocin