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Standardized Aqueous Tribulus terristris (Nerunjil) Extract Attenuates Hyperalgesia in Experimentally Induced Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Model: Role of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mediators
Author(s) -
Ranjithkumar Ravichandran,
Prathab Balaji S.,
Balaji Bhaskar,
Ramesh R. V.,
Ramanathan Muthiah
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.4915
Subject(s) - medicine , oxidative stress , neuropathic pain , hyperalgesia , glutathione peroxidase , pharmacology , streptozotocin , endocrinology , glutathione , superoxide dismutase , nociception , insulin , diabetes mellitus , chemistry , biochemistry , receptor , enzyme
The present study aimed to evaluate standardized aqueous Tribulus terristris (nerunjil) extract on the pain threshold response in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic neuropathic pain model in rats. After a single injection of STZ (40 mg/kg; i.p.), Wistar male rats were tested by the thermal and chemical‐induced pain models. Diabetic rats exhibited significant hyperalgesia, and these rats were left untreated for the first four weeks. Thereafter, treatment was initiated and continued up to week‐8. All the rats except the vehicle‐treated group received insulin 5 IU/kg/day to maintain plasma glucose levels. Treatment with nerunjil (100 and 300 mg/kg; p.o.) for 4 weeks significantly attenuated the nociception in behavioural models. Nerunjil also inhibited the tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1 beta levels. The effect of nerunjil (300 mg/kg) is comparable to the standard drug Pregabalin (100 mg/kg). Nerunjil increased the superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and decreased the lipid peroxide levels in dose‐dependent manner. Insulin alone‐treated rats failed to attenuate hyperalgesic response. In comparison to insulin alone‐treated rats, nerunjil exhibited significant increase in the pain threshold response. It could be concluded that in controlled diabetic states, nerunjil attenuated the neuropathic pain through modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine release. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.