Neuroprotective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in streptozotocin induced neuropathic pain

Abstract Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is one of the prevailing micro vascular complications of diabetes which can be characterized by neuropathic pain. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in the rat has been increasingly used as a model of painful diabetic neuropathy. STZ injection leads to neurotoxicity of peripheral nerves that leads to development of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy in rat model. The present study was aimed at exploring the protective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in STZ induced neurotoxicity and evaluating mechanisms responsible for attenuating neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain markers like hyperalgesia, allodynia and motor deficits were assessed before STZ injection and after the treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose of Tinospora cordifolia. Oxidative stress markers, NGF expression in sciatic nerve were observed after seven weeks treatment. Our results demonstrated that seven weeks treatment with Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract significantly relieved thermal hyperalgesia and allodynia by increasing the antioxidant enzyme levels, decreasing the lipid peroxidation and by increasing the Nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in diabetic rat sciatic nerves. Our findings highlighted the beneficial effects of oral administration of Tinospora cordifolia extract in attenuating diabetic neuropathic pain, possibly through a strong antioxidant activity and by inducing NGF m RNA in sciatic nerves.

Anti-inflammatory activity of a new sphingosine derivative and cembrenoid diterpene (lobohedleolide) isolated from marine soft corals of Sinularia crassa TIXIER-DURIVAULT and Lobophytum species of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The aim of this study is to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of a new sphingosine derivative (1) and cembrenoid diterpene (lobohedleolide) (2) isolated from the soft corals of Sinularia crassa and Lobophytum species respectively, collected on the coasts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenin-induced rat hind paw edema model for acute inflammation and cotton pellet granuloma model for chronic inflammation. Indomethacin was used as a standard drug in this study. Both the sphingosine derivative (1) and the cembrenoid diterpene (2) produced the maximum effect at a dose of 10 mg/kg and this is comparable to that of indomethacin (2 mg/kg, p<0.001). The observed anti-inflammatory activity is almost identical in both the types of experimental inflammation.