Potential Effect of Curcumin in Lowering Blood Glucose Level in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Ami Febriza,1,2 Anisah Ainun Zahrah,3 Nurul Sulfi Andini,4 Fityatun Usman,5 Hasta Handayani Idrus2 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia; 2Centre for Biomedical Research, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong Science Centre, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia; 3Study Program of Bachelor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia; 4Study Program of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia; 5Study Program of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Makassar, South Sulawesi, IndonesiaCorrespondence: Ami Febriza, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Tel +62-878-404-85864, Email [email protected]: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has significantly increased, with 537 million individuals living with diabetes in 2021. Curcumin, a natural compound present in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that aid in controlling diabetes. Curcumin can lower blood glucose levels, increase pancreatic cell function, and reduce insulin resistance. The pathophysiology of diabetes involves oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which can lead to cell death. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of curcumin in rats by administering it for a month and evaluating pancreatic tissue histology.Patients and Methods: STZ-induced diabetic rats were fed a high-fat diet containing glibenclamide, 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) curcumin, 400 mg/kg BW curcumin, or a placebo for 4 weeks. After intervention, blood glucose levels were measured, and the pancreatic tissue was examined. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h.Results: One-way ANOVA was performed to measure the mean difference among the groups at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h of observation, which reported a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The blood glucose levels decreased after 4 h in the group receiving curcumin. Histological evaluation of the pancreas showed slight hydropic degeneration after 4 weeks of curcumin treatment.Conclusion: Our study indicates that curcumin has a beneficial effect in diabetic rats by reducing blood glucose levels and a protective effect on the pancreas.Keywords: curcumin, diabetes, blood glucose, antidiabetic, antioxidant, insulin resistance