Comparative therapeutic efficacy of Olea europaea L. leaf extract and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in ameliorating streptozotocin-induced hepatic and splenic damage in pregnant Rats: Mechanisms of antioxidant and anti-apoptotic protection

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells with remarkable plasticity, enabling them to differentiate into various tissue-specific cell types. MSCs play a pivotal role in tissue repair, hematopoiesis and immunomodulation. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the protective effects of olive leaf extract (OLE), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and their combination against hepatic and splenic toxicity in a rat model of gestational diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of liver and spleen tissues were conducted to assess these effects. Methods: Pregnant female rats were divided into five groups (n = 10 per group): Control group: Rats received STZ at a dose of 35 mg/kg body weight. OLE group: Rats were administered olive leaf extract (OLE) at 200 mg/kg body weight. GD + OLE group: Rats with STZ-induced gestational diabetes (GD) were treated with OLE (200 mg/kg body weight). GD + MSCs group: Rats with STZ-induced GD were treated with BM-MSCs. GD + OLE + MSCs group: Rats with STZ-induced GD were treated with both OLE and BM-MSCs. Results: STZ administration induced significant histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations in the liver and spleen tissues of pregnant femal rats. Treatment with OLE, BM-MSCs, or their combination markedly ameliorated these STZ-induced deteriorations, with the combined treatment showing the most pronounced protective effects. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that both BM-MSCs and OLE exert protective effects against hepatotoxicity and splenic toxicity in a rat model of gestational diabetes. The combination of OLE and BM-MSCs exhibited synergistic benefits, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents for mitigating organ damage in gestational diabetes.