Effect of Azadirachta indica flower extract on functional recovery of sciatic nerve crush injury in rat models of DM

  • Authors:
    • Napatr Sriraksa
    • Ratchaniporn Kongsui
    • Sitthisak Thongrong
    • Acharaporn Duangjai
    • Thaneeya Hawiset
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 6, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6931
  • Pages: 541-550
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Abstract

Chronic hyperglycemia causes nerves to be more susceptible to compression, which often occurs as a result of hyperglycemia‑induced oxidative stress. Oxidative stress impairs nerve function and delays nerve recovery. Azadirachta indica, a herb from Thailand, possesses antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the effect of A. indica flower extract on the functional recovery of a sciatic nerve crush injury in rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM). Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into seven groups including the control rats, rats with DM subjected to sham surgery and treated with vehicle, and rats with DM subjected to the crush surgery and treated with vehicle or A. indica flower extract at a dose of 250, 500 or 750 mg/kg animal body weight, or with vitamin C. DM was induced using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg animal body weight). Rats subjected to a sciatic nerve crush injury or sham surgery were orally treated with either vehicle, A. indica flower extract or vitamin C for 21 days. Functional recovery was assessed every 3 days using a walking track analysis, foot withdrawal reflex test and rotarod test. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and their left sciatic nerves were harvested in order to determine malondialdehyde levels, superoxide dismutase activity and axon density. The treatment with A. indica flower extract significantly improved functional recovery, especially motor and sensory functions. The extract significantly decreased malondialdehyde levels, and increased superoxide dismutase activity and axon density. The results of the current study indicate that the mechanism underlying the enhanced functional recovery of the sciatic nerve following treatment with A. indica flower extract may be associated with an antioxidative effect. However, further studies are required to confirm the current results.
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January-2019
Volume 17 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Sriraksa N, Kongsui R, Thongrong S, Duangjai A and Hawiset T: Effect of Azadirachta indica flower extract on functional recovery of sciatic nerve crush injury in rat models of DM. Exp Ther Med 17: 541-550, 2019.
APA
Sriraksa, N., Kongsui, R., Thongrong, S., Duangjai, A., & Hawiset, T. (2019). Effect of Azadirachta indica flower extract on functional recovery of sciatic nerve crush injury in rat models of DM. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 17, 541-550. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6931
MLA
Sriraksa, N., Kongsui, R., Thongrong, S., Duangjai, A., Hawiset, T."Effect of Azadirachta indica flower extract on functional recovery of sciatic nerve crush injury in rat models of DM". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 17.1 (2019): 541-550.
Chicago
Sriraksa, N., Kongsui, R., Thongrong, S., Duangjai, A., Hawiset, T."Effect of Azadirachta indica flower extract on functional recovery of sciatic nerve crush injury in rat models of DM". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 17, no. 1 (2019): 541-550. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6931