Original Articles
Sandeeep Kumar K, Jameela Taha
Abstract
The present study was designed to screen the neuroprotective effect of Boerhaavia diffusa (Linn.) on Streptozotocine induced diabetic neuropathy in rats. Diabetes was induced in rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg b.w). The ethanol extract of B. diffusa at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight were administered at single dose per day to diabetes induced rats for a period of 12 weeks. Neuropathic pain was assessed in diabetic rats with various painful procedures viz., hot and cold water tail immersion test, pinprick test, cold allodynia, hot plate test, photoactometer and rota-rod tests were performed to assess the degree of thermal, mechanical, cold hyperalgesia and locomotor activity as well as motor co-ordination. At the end of the study period experimental animals were scarified and biochemical parameters such as lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, total protein, total calcium levels were evaluated in sciatic nerve tissue. Animals treated with Boerhaavia diffusa (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o.) significantly alleviates hyperglycaemia induced mechanical, thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia and restored the reduced body weight and improved the biochemical parameters such as blood sugar levels, superoxide dismutase, and total protein and attenuated the calcium concentration, and lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner. Thus, from this study we conclude that Boerhaavia diffusa exhibits significant antidiabetic, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities against streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats.