Effect of melatonin from some sprouted legumes on oxidative stress in rats

. Aniess, Walaa I.M.; Gohari, Safaa T.; Kamel, Shaimaa; Mahdy, Samar M.; Farrag, Neama S.; Atia, Sara M.

doi:10.21608/AJBS.2024.35455

Effect of melatonin from some sprouted legumes on oxidative stress in rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Nutrition and Food Science, Home Economic Dept., Faculty of Specific Education, Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt

² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University

³ Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/AJBS.2024.35455

Abstract

Melatonin (MT), a neuropeptide hormone secreted by the pineal gland, is a potent free radical scavenger and small molecule drug discovered at multiple sites in the body. MT, a natural antioxidant, has been shown to inhibit oxidative stress and stabilize endothelial function, providing cardiovascular protection. It was found that legume seeds were a good dietary source of melatonin, serotonin, and free tryptophan. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress in rats. Animals were weighed and randomly assigned into two main groups. Group 1 (6 rats) fed a basal diet as a negative control, while Group 2 (24 rats) received oral caffeine (100 g/kg body weight/day for two weeks) to determine oxidative stress. Mice of group (2) were divided into four subgroups, each with 6 mice. Subgroup (1) fed a basal diet as a positive control. Subgroup (2) received a basal diet supplemented with 20% (w/w) dry sprouted lupin powder. Subgroup (3) received a basal diet supplemented with 20% (w/w) dry sprouted chickpea powder. Subgroup (4) received a basal diet supplemented with melatonin at doses of 10 mg/kg body weight. The results showed that caffeine significantly increased the risk of oxidative stress (P≤0.05). However, the results of treated subgroups (2, 3 & 4) indicated that there was improved weight gain, decreased liver enzymes, decreased MDA, and increased GSH and CAT levels, which are associated with oxidative stress, compared to the oxidative stress subgroup (1). On the other hand, histological examination of the positive control subgroup (1) after two months of treatment revealed improved heart and liver tissues in the treated rats, especially in the subgroup (that consumed sprouted chickpeas. More specifically, the melatonin-enriched diet reduced the harmful effects of oxidative stress.

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