Chlorogenic acid, a dietary phenolic acid ameliorates hepatorenal injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation

Abstract

Diabetes is commonly associated with oxidative stress, a factor believed to contribute in its development and progression. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a phenolic compound found in coffee and other food sources has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by scavenging free radicals. In the present study, CGA was assessed for its ability to reduce oxidative stress in the liver and kidney, as well as serum inflammatory response in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. STZ (50 mg/kg)was administered intraperitoneally to male albino Wistar rats to induce experimental diabetes and were divided into five groups (n = 5); control, diabetic control, diabetic/metformin-treated, diabetic/CGA (100 and 150 mg/kg) treated. Diabetic rats showed significant elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ) and decreased concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. They also had reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as increased levels of peroxidation marker in their liver and kidney tissues when compared to control rats. Oral administration of CGA (100 and 150 mg) for 28 days markedly (p < 0.05) improved all of these inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in diabetic rats. These findings were further corroborated through histopathological examination of hepatic and renal tissues. The observed results indicate that CGApossess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property, as evidenced by reduction in redox imbalance, inflammation and lipid peroxidation to near normal, thus offering protection to the liver and kidneys tissues from damage inflicted due to oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic rats. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd