Beneficial role of ferulic acid supplementation on lipid profile status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by persistent elevated blood sugar concentrations and disturbances in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Several functional foods and naturally occurring compounds derived from plants have therapeutic potential for managing diabetes and its associated metabolic abnormalities of lipids. Ferulic acid is a bioactive compound present in numerous functional foods. It provides an extensive array of health advantages, encompassing a diverse spectrum of benefits.Objective:The objective of this study was to assess the effect of 50 mg/kg body weight of Ferulic acid (FA50) on the lipid profile status in diabetic rats induced with Streptozotocin (STZ).Materials and methods: Experimental diabetes was created on male albino Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were categorized into five distinct groups- Normal (Group 1), Normal+ FA50 (Group 2), Diabetic control (Group 3), Diabetic + FA50 (Group 4), and Diabetic + Glibenclamide (Group 5). Diabetes was induced in Group 3, 4, and 5 by administering an I.P (intraperitoneal) injection of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight). Rats of groups 2 and 4 were orally administered with 50 mg of FA per rat’s body weight in Kg. Group 5 was treated with Glibenclamide (5 mg/ Kg body weight) daily for two months. On the 60th day, rats from all groups were euthanized, and blood samples were gathered for the purpose of conducting biochemical assessments.Results: The injection of STZ resulted in a significant increase in blood glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profile markers in the experimental rats. Oral administration of Ferulic acid and Glibenclamide drug to diabetic rats significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lowered hyperglycemia, triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared to the diabetic control group. Moreover, the administration of Ferulic acid significantly increased the levels of HDL-cholesterol and regulated the Apo lipoprotein A1- Apo lipoprotein B levels.Conclusion: The current research demonstrates the advantageous impact of Ferulic acid in improving lipid-related metabolic complications associated with diabetes.Keywords: Nutraceuticals, Ferulic acid, Streptozotocin, Diabetes, Lipid profile