Effect of Solanum torvum Swartz on diabetic neuropathy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

<em>Solanum torvum </em>Swartz is a well-known traditional herbal medicinal plant used in diabetes and diabetes-related complications. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of <em>S. torvum</em> on diabetic neuropathy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by using a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg; i.p.). After confirmation of diabetes, rats received metformin (120 mg/kg, p.o.) and STME (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o) for 5 weeks. Diabetic rats showed significant (<em>P</em> <0.05) behavioural changes, increase in blood glucose levels, decrease in relative organ weight of pancreas, significant (<em>P</em> <0.05) decrease in reduced glutathione (RGSH) and significant (<em>P</em> <0.05) increase in TBARS levels. While STME (100 mg/kg) treated diabetic rats significantly (<em>P</em> <0.05) reversed the above parameters as compared to diabetic rats. Treatment with STME (100 mg/kg) has also reversed histopathological changes as observed in diabetic control rats. The study suggests that methanolic extract of <em>S. torvum </em>ameliorates diabetic neuropathy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.