ABSTRACT
The application of traditional medicines for the treatment of diseases, including diabetic neuropathy (DN), has received great attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative potential of naringin, a flavanone, to treat streptozotocin-induced DN in rat models. After the successful induction of diabetes, DN complications were measured by various behavioral tests after 4 weeks of post-induction of diabetes with or without treatment with naringin. Serum biochemical assays such as fasting blood glucose, HbA1c%, insulin, lipid profile, and oxidative stress parameters were determined. Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, and neuron-specific markers such as BDNF and NGF, were also assessed. In addition, pancreatic and brain tissues were subjected to histopathology to analyze structural alterations. The diabetic rats exhibited increased paw withdrawal frequencies for the acetone drop test and decreased frequencies for the plantar test, hot plate test, and tail flick test. The diabetic rats also showed an altered level of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress parameters, as well as altered levels of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress parameters. Naringin treatment significantly improved these parameters and helped in restoring the normal architecture of the brain and pancreatic tissues. The findings show that naringin's neuroprotective properties may be linked to its ability to suppress the overactivation of inflammatory molecules and mediators of oxidative stress.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical interferon alpha 2b (IFNα2b) and mitomycin C (MMC) for ocular surface squamous neoplasia. METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records of 51 eyes of 50 patients with a diagnosis of primary ocular surface squamous neoplasia were included. All cases were treated with either topical IFNα2b (1 million IU/mL) or MMC (0.4 mg/mL) 4 times a day. The primary outcome measure was frequency of clinical resolution of tumors along with failure and recurrence rates after treatment. Other outcome measures included the duration of treatment and adverse effects associated with both topical therapies. RESULTS: Twenty-six eyes were treated with topical IFNα2b and 25 eyes were treated with topical MMC. A complete response was achieved in 23 (89%) and 23 (92%) eyes with topical IFNα2b and MMC, respectively (P = 0.67). The median time to lesion resolution was significantly different between the groups (median 3.5 months in the IFNα2b group and 1.5 months in the MMC group) with an average difference of 1.7 months (P < 0.005). Five (10%) of 51 patients showed no or partial response to topical therapy. Subsequently, they underwent surgical excision. Adverse effects occurred in 3 (12%) patients using IFNα2b and 22 (88%) patients using MMC (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Both IFNα2b and MMC seemed to be equally effective topical monotherapies. Despite a prolonged time to lesion resolution, IFNα2b-treated eyes had better safety and tolerance in comparison with MMC-treated eyes.
