Morin a Flavonoid Exerts Antioxidant Potential in Streptozotocin-induced Hepatotoxicity

Although diabetic hepatopathy is potentially less common, it may be appropriate for addition to the list of target organ conditions related to diabetes. This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of morin in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes rats. Morin (15 and 30 mg/kg/day) was treated to diabetic rats for five consecutive weeks. In serum, fasting glucose and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels were estimated and found significant increase in diabetic group as compared to controls. Nucleic acids, total protein, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Total Glutathione (T-GSH), Non-Protein Sulphydral (NP-SH) levels and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity was measured in hepatic cells. Oxidative stress was confirmed by increasing MDA and decreasing T-SHG, NP-SH and nucleic acid levels and SOD activity in hepatic cells of diabetic rats. Morin treatment to diabetic rats significantly reduced the STZ-induced oxidative stress by following decrease MDA and increase T-GSH, DNA levels and increase SOD activity in hepatic cells respectively. These biochemical findings were matched with histopathological verifications. The findings obtained from this study indicate that morin exerts protection to STZ-induced diabetic rats against oxidative stress. This could be due to prevention or inhibition of lipid peroxidative system by its antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect. In conclusion, morin has been shown to possess antidiabetic effect in STZ-induced detoxication and antioxidant properties. But the exact underlying mechanism needs to be elucidated.