Amelioration of oxidative stress and hepatocellular mitochondrial dysfunction by bioactive compounds isolated from Galega officinalis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effects of bioactive compounds isolated from Galega officinalis on the mitochondrial bioenergetic profile and oxidative stress in rat liver cells with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus were investigated. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8 per group): non-diabetic control animals; non-diabetic animals administered an alkaloid-free fraction of G. officinalis extract (AFF GOE) per os at a dose of 600 mg/kg per day for 14 days; diabetic animals (diabetes mellitus induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 60 mg/kg); and diabetic animals administered AFF GOE per os at the aforementioned dose. The phenolic composition of AFF GOE was analyzed using UHPLC-ESI-MS. The corrective effects of bioactive compounds from G. officinalis on mitochondrial respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and the activity of respiratory chain complexes I, II, and III – NADH-CoQ oxidoreductase, succinate-CoQ oxidoreductase, and cytochrome c oxidoreductase – were confirmed under conditions of diabetes during the oxidation of NAD- and FAD-dependent substrates. The antioxidant effect of AFF GOE in diabetes was demonstrated by changes in oxidative stress markers, including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, reduced glutathione content, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase). These results highlight the potential of G. officinalis as a source of natural bioactive compounds for the development of phytopharmaceuticals and functional foods to prevent and correct of metabolic disorders associated with hyperglycemia. Of particular importance is their ability to support mitochondrial function and exert antioxidant effects relevant for functional food applications. • The alkaloid-free extract of Galega officinalis improves mitochondrial function in hepatocytes under diabetes mellitus. • The biocompounds isolated from G. officinalis reduce oxidative stress in liver cells. • Polyphenols were identified by UHPLC–ESI–MS in the alkaloid-free fraction of G. officinalis extract. • G. officinalis represents a natural source of bioactive compounds exhibiting antidiabetic activity.