Vochysia rufa and glibenclamide promote effects on oxidative damage and in proteins implicated in vesicular trafficking in diabetic rat brain

Many Vochysiaceae species are widely used in folk medicine to treat some diseases. Vochysia rufa, popularly known as “quina-doce”, has been used in folk medicine to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Although the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects and phytochemical profile of Vochysia rufa have already been elucidated, further studies are needed on the effects of this treatment in specific tissues, such as the brain. This study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Vochysia rufa in diabetic rat brains and for this purpose, oxidative stress markers and the expression/localization of proteins implicated in vesicular trafficking were evaluated. Thirty-two rats were randomized into four groups (non-diabetic, diabetic non-treated, diabetic treated for 43 days with glibenclamide - 6 mg/kg or Vochysia rufa - 500 mg/kg). The extract was administered by gavage for 43 days. Analyses were conducted of enzymes concentration and activity in the brain. The protein levels and localization of myosin-Va, CaMKII, synapsin, SNAP-25 and GLUT4 were also analyzed. Vochysia rufa extract decreased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, total sulfhydryl and lipid peroxidation levels and increased glutathione S-transferase levels. Additionally, Vochysia rufa treatment increased the expression of myosin-Va, CaMKII and also synapsin, which were confirmed by immunolocalization. The treatment with aqueous extract of Vochysia rufa reduces oxidative stress on diabetic rat and protecting the brain from damage caused by hyperglycemia.