Effects of 1,8-Cineole on Diabetic Muscular Atrophy

This study aimed to address the effects of 1,8-cineole on diabetic muscular atrophy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Adult male rats were divided into three groups (n = 15): nondiabetic control (ND), diabetic (D), and diabetic rats treated with 1,8-cineole intraperitoneally for 21 days. A single low-dose intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg) was used to induce diabetes. At the end of the experiment, blood and muscle tissue samples were collected for analysis.

There was a significant increase in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, which coincided with significant increases in the skeletal muscles' mRNA expression levels of two inflammatory markers, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF‑α), and in two biomarkers of skeletal muscle atrophy, F-boxonly protein 32 (FBXO32) and muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1). Additionally, diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in the expression of skeletal muscle glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) levels. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level was increased, while the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was not changed in the skeletal muscle of the D group compared to the ND group. Cineol treatment reversed the diabetes-induced changes in the relative mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1, TNF- α, FBXO32, MuRF1, and GLUT4 in the skeletal muscle and significantly decreased MDA levels with a non-significant increase in skeletal muscle SOD activity.

These results suggest that 1,8-cineole protects diabetic skeletal muscles in multiple ways, including reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the generation of inflammatory cytokines, and preventing the expression of proteolytic genes. Its capacity to increase GLUT4 levels enhances glucose absorption and insulin sensitivity. Therefore, in diabetic situations, 1,8-cineole may help maintain muscle structure and function. These findings add to the increasing amount of data indicating that 1,8- cineole is a viable option for treating diabetes-induced muscle problems brought on by diabetes. To fully understand its therapeutic potential, further research is necessary, including studies on muscle mass, myostatin levels, and protein expression.

1,8-cineole tr1eatment decreased blood glucose levels and attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation in the skeletal muscles of diabetic rats, thereby protecting rats against diabetic muscle atrophy.