Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound with recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and rapid metabolism in vivo make its use challenging. To overcome these drawbacks, numerous curcumin analogs have been developed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of two experimental curcumin monocarbonyl analogs [(2E,6E)-2,6-bis[(2-trifluoromethyl)benzylidene]cyclohexanone (C66)] and (2E,6E)-2,6-bis(2-bromobenzylidene)cyclohexanone) (B2BrBC)] on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes rat model. The study involved a total of 53 male Wistar rats divided into two experiments in order to assess their therapeutic and preventive effects: STZ injection (60 mg/kg) followed by C66 or B2BrBC treatment (both 50 µmol/kg) daily for 30 days before the sacrifice (Experiment 1), and a single dose of C66 or B2BrBC treatment (both 125 µmol/kg) 6 hours before STZ injection, and sacrifice after 72 hours (Experiment 2). Plasma, liver, and kidney samples were obtained and used to measure the oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP)] and the activity of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)]. The results demonstrated that both curcumin analogs displayed protective and restorative effects and counteracted the effect of STZ on the tested redox biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes, most prominently after 30 days post-treatment (Experiment 1). We conclude that the beneficial effects of C66 and B2BrBC in the STZ diabetes model provide a basis for further studies involving C66 and B2BrBC and other curcumin analogs in diabetes.

Disclosure

R.Stojchevski: None. M.Angelovski: None. S.Velichkovikj: None. N.Hadzi-petrushev: None. J.B.Bogdanov: None. M.Mladenov: None. L.Poretsky: None. D.Avtanski: None.

Funding

Gerald and Dorothy Friedman New York Foundation for Medical Research

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