Antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of biogenic copper oxide nanoparticles in diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is often associated with metabolic disorders like hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and obesity. Health problems related to these disorders are on a rise globally. Although nanotechnology based approaches have been explored for diabetes treatment, specific information on alleviation of the associated health problem is scanty. Here we report the beneficial effects of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuOnpls) for the control of hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress caused due to diabetes. Wistar rats were fasted overnight and type 2 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of freshly prepared nicotinamide followed by streptozotocin. Induction of diabetes was confirmed by estimation of blood glucose levels of the animals. Estimation of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) from the serum was carried out for ascertaining hyperlipidemia. Biogenic CuOnpls (spherical, 88.25 nm diameter) capped with bud extract of Syzygium aromaticum and α-tocopherol were administered in the animals per-oral route. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined to evaluate antioxidant activity of CuOnpls. The nanoparticles were characterized for surface chemical groups by FTIR and HRLC-MS. The nanoparticles revealed novel surface groups responsible for site-specific delivery and beneficial effects. Diabetic rats showed enhanced serum BG, TC, TG and LDL levels and reduction in levels of HDL-c, SOD, CAT and GSH. Administration of CuOnpls caused significant reversal of the effects of diabetes on lipid profile and oxidative stress enzymes. The results pointed to the beneficial effects of CuOnpls for management of post-diabetes complications.