The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of perilyl alcohol on renal tissue oxidative stress and apoptosis in diabetic rats. For this purpose, 40 rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 rats per group. The experimental groups were Group 1 (control), Group 2 (Diabetes; STZ 50 mg/kg ip, Single Dose), Group 3 (Perilil Alcohol; Perilil Alcohol 50 mg/kg po, 7 days), and Group 4 (Diabetes+Perilil Alcohol; STZ 50 mg/kg ip, Single Dose+Perilyl Alcohol 50 mg/kg po 7 days). Biochemical parameters malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH.Px), Catalase (CAT) and Bax and Bcl-2 levels were measured at the end of the study. Results showed that MDA level increased in diabetic group compared to control group (P<0.01); GSH, GSH-Px and CAT levels decreased (P<0.05). In the diabetes + perilyl alcohol group; Compared with the diabetes group, MDA level was decreased (P<0.01); GSH, GSH-Px and CAT levels increased (P<0.05). As a result of Western blot analysis, Bax protein levels increased in Diabetes group; but decreased in the Diabetes+Perilyl Alcohol group (P<0.05). Bcl-2 level increased in Diabetes+Perilyl Alcohol group (P<0.05). Although Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased in Diabetes group (P<0.05), it decreased in Diabetes+Perilyl Alcohol group.

As a result, it was found that perilyl alcohol decreased oxidative stress and increased antioxidant activity in early stage of diabetes, but also decreased Bax / Bcl-2 ratio which is an indicator of apoptotic index.