THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF TUMERIC FORTIFIED SNACK AGAINST STZ-INDUCED DIABETES IN RATS

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, resulting from insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. Turmeric, a common spice, has been extensively studied for its anti-diabetic properties. This study investigated the protective effect of a turmeric fortified snack against STZ-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, Diabetic, Turmeric-treated Diabetic, and Turmeric-fortified Snack-treated Diabetic. Diabetes was induced in the Diabetic and Turmeric-treated Diabetic groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The Turmeric-fortified Snack-treated Diabetic group received a turmeric fortified snack along with regular rat chow. After 4 weeks of treatment, pancreatic antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed. The results demonstrated that the turmeric fortified snack significantly reduced blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Additionally, the turmeric fortified snack significantly enhanced pancreatic antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase, which contributed to the reduction of oxidative stress. These findings suggest that the turmeric fortified snack possesses significant protective effects against STZinduced diabetes in the pancreas of diabetic rats. The turmeric fortified snack may serve as a potential dietary intervention for the prevention and management of diabetes.