Sphaeranthus indicus Linn ameliorates streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic neuropathy by targeting oxidative stress-mediated alterations

Background: Diabetes-induced neuropathic pain is manifested as a lowering of nerve transmission rate, increased discomfort, sensual loss, and axonal degradation, and is the most prevalent secondary consequence of diabetes. Diabetes is a devitalizing disease affecting people from diverse groups in both developing and industrialized countries. The inflammation pathway and oxidative stress both contribute considerably to diabetic peripheral neuropathy via the activation of inflammatory cytokines. Hyperglycemia-mediated neural oxidative stress and damage activates a number of metabolic pathways, causing diabetic neuropathy. The current study investigated the neuroprotective potential of methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn (MESI) in ameliorating diabetic neuropathic pain induced by administration of streptozotocin in rats. Results: Four weeks after intraperitoneal treatment of streptozotocin (STZ), there was a significant decrease in mechano-tactile allodynia and mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Furthermore, STZ-induced oxidative stress increases the extent of neural lipid peroxidation (LPO), as evidenced by increased MDA levels, decreases the activities of endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), and alters sciatic neural histoarchitecture. Chronic administration of methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn (MESI) for 4 weeks significantly and dose-dependently attenuated the decrease in levels of nociceptive thresholds, endogenous antioxidants (SOD and GSH), and increase in LPO. Furthermore, MESI significantly restored sciatic neural histoarchitecture. Conclusion: The amelioration of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy by methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn (MESI) could be attributed to its antinociceptive, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties.