Beetroot Extract and Its Anti-Diabetic: Neuroprotective Effect in the Frontal Cortex and Cerebellar Cortex of Diabetic Wistar Rats

This study investigated the anti-diabetic effects of beetroot on the frontal and cerebellar cortices in diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty male rats (8–10 weeks old, weighing 160–200 g) were divided into five groups (n=6 each). Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (70 mg/kg), confirmed by a fasting blood glucose level of ≥250 mg/dl after 72 hours. Group A (control) received no treatment; Group B (diabetic) received STZ only; Group C received beetroot (400 mg/kg); Group D received metformin (100 mg/kg); and Group E received beetroot (400 mg/kg) post-STZ. The treatment lasted for four weeks. The diabetic group exhibited significant weight loss and elevated blood glucose levels (p<0.05), while the beetroot and metformin groups had glucose levels comparable to the controls (p>0.05). Histological analysis revealed normal cellular architecture in the controls and beetroot-only groups, while the diabetic group exhibited necrosis. The beetroot and metformin-treated groups showed partial cellular recovery. Additionally, diabetic rats had reduced levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH), which were restored in the beetroot- and metformin-treated groups. The beetroot aqueous extract mitigated diabetes-induced damage in the frontal and cerebellar cortices, demonstrating effects comparable to those of metformin.