Effects of curcumin and its nanomicelle form on body weight, insulin resistance, adiponectin, and blood parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Curcumin can be used for diabetes treatment. However, it rapidly degrades and has low absorption in gastrointestinal system. Its nanomicelle form might improve its efficiency. Therefore, they both assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Fifty male wistar rats were induced diabetes and divided into 5 groups and treated with 1) no dietary supplement, 2 and 3) 40 and 80 mg/kg curcumin, 4 and 5) 40 and 80 mg/kg nanomicelle curcumin. A group of 10 untreated rats was considered as healthy control. Serum concentrations of AST, ALT, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C and adiponectin were assessed. Body weight and weights of liver, heart and pancreas were also evaluated. Induction of diabetes increased the serum concentrations of AST, ALT, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C and insulin resistance and decreased the serum concentrations of insulin, adiponectin, and HDL-C, and also body weight and weights of heart and pancreas (P<0.05). Nanomicelle form of curcumin alleviated the negative effects of diabetic rats for glucose, lipid profile, and liver enzymes (P<0.05). In conclusion, nanomicelle form of curcumin showed better efficiency for alleviating the adverse effects of diabetes. It can be suggested that nanomicelle form of curcumin at specific doses can be used for diabetes treatment.