Role of Date Palm Seeds Extract in Modulating Inflammatory Mediators, Apoptotic Pathways, and Cellular Signaling in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Abstract

Hyperglycaemia is a result of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. These factors lead to the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in insulin deficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effect of date seed extract on inflammatory, cellular, and tissue changes in male rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. Thirty rats were housed in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tikrit University and divided into five groups. The control group was given distilled water, the second group was the diabetes induction group, while the third and fourth groups were induction groups treated with date seed extract and metformin, respectively. As for the fifth group, they were given only date seed extract. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of caspase-3, fetuin-A, IL-6, and STAT-3, with a decrease in IL-12 levels in the diabetic group compared to the control group. In contrast, the diabetic rats treated with date seed extract showed a reduction in the levels of caspase-3, fetuin-A, IL-6, and STAT-3, and an increase in the level of IL-12. Alloxan also showed detrimental effects on liver tissue, manifested in the infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion of the central vein, and haemolysis. The chemical analysis of date seeds revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study demonstrated the vital role of date seed components in reducing levels of Caspase-3 and Fetuin-A, as well as inflammatory mediators, and improving the liver tissue structure in diabetic-induced rats.