摘要：Background: Astaxanthin (ASTA) is a carotenoid which has anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and cardio protective properties and is also a powerful antioxidant. Objective: Consumption of antioxidant-rich foods reduces cellular oxidative stress related health problems. This study aims to assess the antioxidant properties of ASTA, against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and antioxidant potential properties of ASTA in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) drug was used as a diabetogenic agent in a single intraperitoneal injection dose of 60 mg/kg body weight of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Diabetic and non-diabetic rats were fed chow diet plus oral feeding contained ASTA. After 12 weeks, following STZ injection, all animals were overnight fasted and then sacrificed; pancreas tissues were homogenized for antioxidant measurements and histopathological examination was done. Results: A significant change in lipid and protein contents of pancreatic tissue was observed, however, this change was reversed after treatment with ASTA. Conclusion: the results of this in-vivo study demonstrated that astaxanthin has a protective effect against STZ-induced hyperglycemia and pancreatic cell injury.
