ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF BUCHHOLZIA CORIACEA SEED EXTRACT ON CATALASE ACTIVITY AND OCULAR HISTOPATHOLOGY IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC MALE WISTAR RATS WITH HPLC PROFILING AND MOLECULAR DOCKING ANALYSIS
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes, driven by hyperglycemia and oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress reduces the activity of protective enzymes such as catalase, leading to retinal damage. This
study investigated the effects of Buchholzia coriacea seed extract and metformin on eye histopathology and
catalase activity in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Sixty adult male albino rats were
randomly assigned to twelve groups (five rats each). Diabetes was induced with a single intraperitoneal
injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 14 days and included metformin (50
mg/kg) or graded doses of Buchholzia coriacea ethanol seed extract (100, 200, 300, or 400 mg/kg), given
to diabetic or non-diabetic rats. The groups were: diabetic untreated (INT), diabetic + metformin (IMET),
diabetic + extract (IT100, IT200, IT300, IT400), non-diabetic untreated (NINT), non-diabetic + metformin
(NIMET), and non-diabetic + extract (NT100, NT200, NT300, NT400). Catalase activity in eye tissues was
measured spectrophotometrically, and retinal histology was assessed with hematoxylin and eosin staining.
Diabetic untreated rats showed a marked decrease in catalase activity and extensive retinal injury, including
cellular degeneration, vascular congestion, and disorganization of retinal layers. Treatment with Buchholzia
coriacea extract or metformin significantly increased catalase activity and improved retinal structure
compared with diabetic controls. The highest extract dose (400 mg/kg) and the combination of extract with
metformin produced the greatest protective effects, with catalase activity approaching normal levels and
better preservation of retinal architecture. These findings suggest that Buchholzia coriacea seed extract
exerts strong antioxidant and histoprotective actions and may complement metformin therapy in preventing diabetes-related retinal damage.
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