A Beneficial Role of Caffeic Acid on Cardiovascular Complication Associated with Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The present study aimed to study the effect of caffeic acid (CA) on diabetic cardiac complications associated with Type-I diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats. Type-I DM in rats was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection once only [45 mg/kg, i.v]. The animals were divided into four groups, and treatment was given for 8 weeks with CA [25 mg/kg, PO and 50 mg/kg, PO] in two specified diabetic groups. After 8 weeks, serum and urine were collected and various serum and urine parameters were estimated. Animals were then sacrificed, and their hearts were removed for estimation of histopathological and oxidative parameters. STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significantly decreased albumin levels and increased MDA, collagen, and decreased activates of SOD and glutathione in their diabetic hearts. In the diabetic control, rats showed significantly increased serum cardiac parameters of CK, CRP, and LDH and also increased serum lipid profile parameters of LDL, cholesterol, and TG. Treatment with CA 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg showed significantly decreased CK, CRP, and LDH in diabetic-treated rats and decreased UA. Additionally, significantly decreased MDA, collagen, and increased activities of SOD and GSH were seen in the diabetic-treated rats. Histopathological findings also supported the beneficial effect of CA on the left ventricle of the heart. The present study revealed that the beneficial effects of CA on diabetic cardiovascular complications may be via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions.