Effect of Hesperidin on Lipid Profile, Inflammation and Apoptosis in Experimental Diabetes

In recent years, therapeutic approaches against diabetes-induced liver damage have attracted great interest. Studies indicate the anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering potential of hesperidin (HESP), a flavonoid in citrus fruits. This study examined how HESP prevented streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic liver damage. Four groups of seven rats each were created: Control, HESP (100 mg/kg/day), STZ (45 mg/kg), and STZ + HESP (45 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively). Serum AST, ALT, LDH, LDL, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels, and the TNF-α, IL-1β, and caspase-3 expression levels of liver tissue in the STZ group were higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). However, these values were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the STZ + HESP group compared to the STZ group. Furthermore, administering HESP together with STZ reduced liver expression levels of caspase-3, TNF-α, and IL-1β, as well as blood levels of AST, ALT, LDH, LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol. HESP against diabetes-induced hepatic damage reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels, and returned the lipid profile, and apoptotic indicators to normal levels. These findings suggested that HESP therapy may be an important therapeutic role against diabetes-induced liver damage.