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Effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum (L.) on retinal oxidative stress, and proinflammatory and angiogenic molecular biomarkers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (fenugreek) in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retina. Fenugreek (100 and 200 mg/kg body weights) treatment was carried out for 24 weeks and evaluated for inflammatory [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β] and angiogenic [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and protein kinase C (PKC)-β] molecular biomarkers. Retinal oxidative stress was evaluated by estimating antioxidant (Glutathione, Superoxide dismutase, and Catalase) parameters. Fluorescein angiography was performed to detect retinal vascular leakage. Electron microscopy was performed to determine basement membrane thickness. In the present study, significant rises in the expressions of retinal inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β) and angiogenic (VEGF and PKC-β) molecular biomarkers were observed in diabetic retinae compared with normal retinae. However, fenugreek-treated retinae showed marked inhibition in the expression of inflammatory and angiogenic molecular biomarkers. Moreover, results from the present study showed positive modulatory effects of fenugreek on retinal oxidative stress. Fluorescein angiograms and fundus photographs obtained from diabetic retinae showed retinal vascular leakage. On the other hand, fenugreek-treated retinae did not show vascular leakage. Further, thickened BM was recorded in diabetic retina compared with normal retinae. However, fenugreek-treated retinae showed relatively lesser thickening of capillary BM. In conclusion, it may be postulated that fenugreek has great potential in preventing diabetes-induced retinal degeneration in humans after regular consumption in the specified dosage.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support from the Department of Science and Technology under DPRP is gratefully acknowledged. Facilities for electron microscopy availed at SAIF (DST), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi are acknowledged. Herbal extract was obtained from Sanat Products Ltd., New Delhi, India

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ocular Pharmacology Laboratory, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110017, India

    Suresh Kumar Gupta, Binit Kumar, B. P. Srinivasan & Sushma Srivastava

  2. Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India

    Tapas Chandra Nag

  3. Promed Research Centre, Gurgaon, India

    Shrikant Gaur

  4. Dr. R. P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India

    Rohit Saxena

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  1. Suresh Kumar Gupta
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  2. Binit Kumar
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Correspondence to Suresh Kumar Gupta.

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Gupta, S.K., Kumar, B., Nag, T.C. et al. Effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum (L.) on retinal oxidative stress, and proinflammatory and angiogenic molecular biomarkers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Mol Cell Biochem 388, 1–9 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-013-1893-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-013-1893-2

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