Assessment of the anti-diabetic potential of resveratrol in streptozotocin-induced diabetic animal models through modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation

Authors

  • Riyadh Omar Nasser Alfahed
  • Walleed Khaled Aljafen
  • Mohammed Sulaiman Alduraibi
  • Arshad Husain Rahmani

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v16i4.1952

Abstract

Background: Resveratrol (RES) is well known for its various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, making it a valuable therapeutic approach for treating numerous pathological disorders. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the anti-diabetic effects of RES in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: A total of thirty-two male rats, weighing 160-175g, were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (n = 8 per group): normal untreated controls, diabetic controls, diabetic rats receiving resveratrol treatment, and diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide as a positive control. Following completion of the treatment, blood samples were collected for biochemical investigations. Animals were then sacrificed, and renal histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate renal tissue architecture, and IL-6 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry.

Results: The treatment with RES significantly elevated insulin levels, decreased blood glucose, total triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC) levels, reduced inflammation, lowered the levels of inflammatory markers, and improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats. RES lessened diabetes-induced renal damage, including inflammation, congestion, and fibrosis. In addition, RES markedly suppressed interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in kidney tissues compared with the diabetes control group.

Conclusion: These outcomes suggest that RES is a potent therapeutic agent for diabetes and related complications.

Novelty of the study: This study demonstrates that RES not only improves glycemic control, lipid metabolism, and insulin levels, but also attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic rats. Notably, RES protects renal tissue architecture and markedly downregulates IL-6 expression. These findings highlight RES as a multi-target bioactive compound with potential therapeutic in diabetes management.

Keywords: Resveratrol, anti-diabetic potential, oxidative stress, inflammation

Published

2026-04-03

Issue

Section

Research Articles