Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a polyphenol present in members of the Lamiaceae family. In this study, yhe anti-inflammatory and anti-glycative effects of RA in the livers of type 1 diabetic mice were examined. METHODS: The diabetic mice were divided into three groups: diabetic mice with 0, low dose RA (25 mg/ml), and high dose RA (50 mg/ml). One group of non-diabetic mice was used as a control for comparison. RA was supplied via daily 200 μL oral injections for 9 weeks. The level of interleukin (IL)-6, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, the prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the livers were measured. The hepatic receptor of advanced glycative endproduct (RAGE), the sorbitol levels, and the glyoxalase 1 (GLO-1) activity were also determined. RESULTS: Compared with diabetic group that received no RA, the groups with RA supplements at both levels of dosages had increased body weight and had both decreased water intake and feed intake (p < 0.05). RA intake was found to reduce plasma glucose level and elevate plasma insulin level when compared with the diabetic group that received no RA (p < 0.05). RA treatments lowered the hepatic level of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and PGE(2), as well as the activity of COX-2 (p < 0.05). RA administration also decreased hepatic RAGE and sorbitol levels, and GLO-1 activity when compared with the diabetic group that received no RA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings support the conclusion that rosmarinic acid (RA) could be a potent protective agent for the liver against diabetic injury.