Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications affecting 50% of diabetic patients. Neuropathic pain is the most difficult types of pain to treat. There is no specific treatment for neuropathy. Nishamalaki (NA), combination of Curcuma longa and Emblica officinalis used to treat Diabetes Mellitus (DM). So, efforts were made to test whether NA is useful in prevention of diabetic neuropathy. AIM: To evaluate the effect of NA on diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetic wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group I (Control) vehicle treated consists of 6 rats. Diabetes induced in 36 wistar rats with Streptozotocin (STZ) (35mg/kg) intra-peritoneally followed by High Fat High Fructose diet. After confirmation of development of diabetes; rats divided into six groups (n=6). Group II - VII Diabetic Control, NA low dose, NA High dose, Glibenclamide, Pioglitazone and Epalrestat. Animals received drug treatment for next 12 weeks. Monitoring of Blood Sugar Level (BSL) done every 15 days and lipid profile at the end. Eddy's hot plate and tail immersion test performed to assess thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia. Walking function test performed to assess motor function. RESULTS: Diabetic rats exhibited significant (p<0.001) hyperalgesia and increased BSL compared to control rats. Dose-dependent improvement was observed in thermal hyperalgesia & cold allodynia in NA groups. Activity of NA was more than Glibenclamide, Epalrestat and Pioglitazone in high dose and comparable in low dose. Nishamalaki improved lipid profile. CONCLUSION: Apart from controlling hyperglycaemia and reducing lipid levels, NA effectively prevented the development of diabetic neuropathy.