Seed from olive cake prevents hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in dexamethasone-induced diabetes rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, can be managed with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. However, current medications often come with significant costs and side effects, including hypoglycemia, liver failure, and congestive heart failure. This highlights the need for exploring alternative strategies, such as dietary antioxidants and nutraceuticals, for diabetes prevention and complication management.

Aims: This study investigated the potential of olive seed powder (OSP) supplementation to prevent diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress induced by dexamethasone in rat, utilizing both in vivo and in silico approaches.

Material and Methods: Male rats were distributed into three groups: control (Ctl), preventive (D-OSP, receiving OSP supplementation), and dexamethasone-treated (Dx). Over 14 days, all groups received intraperitoneal dexamethasone injections, while the preventive group received a diet supplemented with 10% OSP.

Results: Compared to the Dx group, supplementation significantly mitigated hyperglycemia, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced the triglyceride-glucose index, glycated hemoglobin levels, and increased hepatic glycogen content. OSP also ameliorated the lipid profile, decreasing triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, atherogenic index, and coronary risk index levels, while increasing HDL-C levels. Enzyme biomarker activities of liver function were elevated in the Dx compared to Ctl and OSP supplementation attenuated these changes. Furthermore, the Dx group displayed increased lipid peroxidation products and protein oxidation, alongside decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and pancreas. PSO supplementation alleviated these markers of oxidative stress. Histopathological analysis revealed liver and pancreas damage in the Dx group, which was reduced by OSP. Additionally, the in-silico investigations indicated the potential biding of vanillic acid to the active sites of protein kinase 1, insulin receptor substrate 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta complex.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that OSP supplementation effectively prevented dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress in rats. These beneficial effects are likely attributed to the bioactive compounds present in OSP suggesting its potential as a promising functional food for diabetes prevention and complication management.