Phytomelatonin (Zea mays) Supplementation Restores the Damage Caused by Induced-Diabetes in the Golden Hamster Mesocricetus auratus

Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder with multiple etiologies, one of them being damage induced by free radicals. Melatonin, a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland, is a well-known antioxidant or free radical scavenger. The melatonin found in plants is known as phytomelatonin. Phytomelatonin is potent in regulating stress management, apoptosis, seasonality and circadian rhythms in animals as melatonin. The supplementation of phytomelatonin is known to potentiate the antioxidant capacity. Therefore, in the present study, we proposed that the supplementation of corn seed (Zea mays) with regular diet may modulate the activity of antioxidative enzymes in diabetic hamsters. The supplementation of diet with phytomelatoninrich corn did not reduce serum glucose level significantly. No significant elevation was noted in serum insulin level of animals after feeding corn. Glycogen level of both liver and muscle were also not significantly affected. However, phytomelatonin supplementation improved lipid profile by significantly reducing the cholesterol (TC) and LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C) and enhancing HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C). Significant reduction was noted in LPO level in pancreas. The supplemental diet led to significant increase in the level of Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in pancreas. Diabetes produced a deleterious effect on oxidative stress markers, lipid profile, glucose, glycogen and insulin. Supplementation of corn in the diet for 40 days modified the biochemical parameters to various degrees. The phytomelatonin treatment improved most of the antioxidant parameters under investigation. The study has produced some positive outcomes, especially a strategy which may be relevant in prevention, development and/or slowing down of the progression of diabetes.