Attenuation of experimentally induced diabetic neuropathy in association with reduced oxidative-nitrosative stress by chronic administration of Momordica charantia

Momordica Charantia (MC) is one of the most famous traditional plant worldwide, used for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. In the present study possible protective effect of MC in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic neuropathy in mice was evaluated. STZ induced diabetic mice were orally administered MC at various doses (200 800 mg/kg) for six weeks. Diabetes induced neuropathic pain was assessed by hot plate test, formalin test and tail flick test at the beginning and end of the study. Serum TBARS, NO and SOD levels were estimated at the end of the study as the markers of oxidative-nitrosative stress. Rota rod test was employed to assess the effect of treatment on motor coordination. The results showed that STZ induced diabetes significantly decreased the pain threshold as was indicated by increased flinching in formalin test and decreased withdrawal latency in hot plate and tail flick tests. Oxidative-nitrosative stress was significantly increased in diabetic animals. Chronic administration of MC significantly attenuated diabetes induced increase in flinches and decrease in withdrawal latency without impacting sensory and motor functions. MC administration also exhibited dose dependant reduction of hyperglycemia and serum TBARS, NO and SOD levels in diabetic mice. The results suggest that long term use of MC protects against diabetes induced neuropathy in association with attenuation of hyperglycemia and oxidative-nitrosative stress.