ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of various fractions of methanolic extract of Terminalia bellirica roxb in Diabetic Neuropathic rats. Diabetes was induced by Streptozotocin [50mg/kg, i.p]. Diabetic neuropathy was assessed by thermal and chemical stimuli. Antioxidant status has been evaluated. In this preventive therapy treatment has started with various fractions and gallic acid one day before the induction of diabetes and continued till 5th week of diabetes. Blood glucose level has been checked for each group and sciatic nerve histopathological studies have also done. Animals treated with Gallic acid, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions of methanolic extract of Terminalia bellirica showed an extremely significant increase in the level of SOD, Catalase, reduced glutathione and decrease in the level of TEARS when compared to diabetic control and also significantly [p<0.001] increased the reaction time in Hot plate test, Hot water Tail immersion and significantly reduced the number of flinches in each phase in Formalin test when compared to diabetic control. Moreover animals treated with all these fractions except water fraction was not showed any significant effect in reaction time when compared to normal rat indicated the prevention of neuropathic pain. Diabetic animals treated with all fractions showed a gradual decrease in blood sugar in each week. Gallic acid and N-butanol shown preserved fiber density and vascular thickening was not observed when compared to diabetic control. Gallic acid present in the methanolic extract of Terminalia bellirica is the better option for diabetic neuropathy, that will act through two mechanisms i] by reducing the blood glucose level ii] due to the antioxidant activity they may retain the antioxidant status in animals to prevent the development of diabetic neuropathy