DNA protective efficacy of royal jelly in experimental diabetic rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and protective effects of DNA damage by administering increasing doses of royal jelly by intragastric tube in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Material and Methods: In this study, 38 adult Sprague dawley male rats weighing 330-400 g were used. Diabetes was induced by administering 50 mg/kg streptozotocin by intraperitoneal injection. Rats with blood glucose levels above 200mg/dl were considered diabetic. Royal jelly was given at doses of 300 mg/kg to healthy royal jelly (Sas) group, 50-150-300 mg/kg to three diabetic groups (Das50, Das150, Das300), 2ml 0.9% NaCl solution for healthy control (Sk) and diabetic control (Dk) groups were administered with an intragastric tube for 28 days. For the evaluation of DNA damage, comet analysis was performed from blood samples and tail moment and tail percentage parameters were examined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) parameters from liver samples were examined for the evaluation of oxidative stress. Results: In the Das300 group, no significant difference was observed between weeks in body weight measurements (p=0.307). There was no significant difference between weeks in blood glucose measurements in the Das300 group. A significant decrease was found in the tail moment and tail density data in the Das50, Das150 and Das300 groups compared to the Dk group (p=0.001). It was determined that the SOD level increased significantly in the Das groups (p=0.002). Again, ıt was determined that CAT and GSH levels increased significantly in Das groups. It was determined that MDA level decreased significantly in the Das150 group. Conclusion: It has been concluded that royal jelly can reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage due to diabetes and partially prevent body weight loss. Keywords: Royal jelly, comet assay, diabetes, oxidant, streptozotocin.