Effect of curcumin in the amelioration of pancreatic islets in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the antidiabetic effect of curcumin and its potential in amelioration of pancreatic islets against damage under diabetic condition. MATERIAL AND METHOD Diabetic mice were induced by injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). Male mice were divided into 3 groups: group I was normal mice, group II was diabetic mice and group III diabetic mice were treated with curcumin (200 mg/kg body weight). The blood glucose levels and body weights were recorded every two weeks. After 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks, the animals in each group were sacrificed. Histopathology of pancreatic tissues, pancreatic islets areas and numbers were observed under light microscope. RESULTS The weight loss and the elevation of blood glucose levels were observed in diabetic mice and diabetic mice treated with curcumin at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. The reduction of pancreatic islets areas and numbers were presented in diabetic mice and diabetic mice fed with curcumin at 4 weeks. At 8 weeks of diabetic mice, the numbers of pancreatic islets were decreased however the pancreatic islets hyperplasia was prominently investigated, whereas the noticeable increase in numbers of small pancreatic islets were observed in diabetic mice fed with curcumin. Histopathological observation at 12 weeks revealed the accumulation of lymphocytes in the shrunken pancreatic islets of diabetic mice, while an absent lymphocytes infiltration in the pancreatic islets and the increase in numbers of small islets of Langerhans appeared nearly the ducts in the pancreas of diabetic mice treated with curcumin at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION Curcumin treatment at 12 week can exert beneficial effect in diabetes mellitus, regarding the improvement of pancreatic islets. The islets of Langerhans neogenesis is characterize by the presentation of small islets increase in numbers nearly the ducts and no insulitis.