Antioxidant Effect of Snakehead Fish (Channa Striata) Albumin Extract on Diabetic Rats (Rattus Norvegicus)

Snakehead fish extract (SHE) has been traditionally used for diabetes therapy due to its antioxidant properties, yet its effects in high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic models remain underexplored. This study evaluated the antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of SHE in diabetic rats by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), GLUT-4 density and HOMA-IR index. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Healthy control (C−), diabetic control (C+) and diabetic rats treated with low (LD: 2 mL/day), medium (MD: 3 mL/day) and high (HD: 4 mL/day) doses of SHE for 28 days. SHE was administered orally following HFD-STZ induction. SHE significantly reduced MDA levels in diabetic rats to levels comparable with healthy controls (p-value < 0.05), though GSH levels showed no consistent improvement. GLUT-4 density in striated muscle membranes increased significantly in all SHE-treated groups (p-value < 0.05) and fasting blood glucose levels decreased, though not to normoglycemic levels. The HOMA-IR index was also significantly reduced in MD and HD groups, indicating improved insulin sensitivity. Antioxidant activity was confirmed via the ABTS assay, with 50% radical inhibition at 125 µg/mL. In conclusion, SHE demonstrates dose-dependent antioxidant and antidiabetic effects by lowering MDA levels, enhancing GLUT-4 density, reducing blood glucose and improving insulin resistance. However, this study has limitations, including the use of blood-based biomarkers for MDA and GSH, which may not fully reflect tissue-specific oxidative stress. Additionally, the total protein analysis did not identify the specific albumin content or amino acid composition of SHE, which should be addressed in future studies to better understand its bioactive components and mechanisms. HIGHLIGHTS The study demonstrated that SHE exhibits significant antioxidant activity, capable of reducing ABTS radicals by 50% at a concentration of 125 µg/mL. It also showed potential in lowering oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) in diabetic rats. SHE treatment enhanced GLUT-4 density in the striated muscle membranes of diabetic rats, contributing to better glucose uptake and reduced blood glucose levels. The study showed significant improvements in diabetic biomarkers, such as fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels. Though the insulin levels of SHE-treated groups were not vastly different from untreated diabetic rats, the reduction in glucose levels and HOMA-IR index suggests a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT