Neuroprotective potential of Azadirachta indica leaves in diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: Azadirachta indica is a treasure of multiple pharmacological properties, and presently leaves of this plant have been explored to evaluate the neuroprotective potential in diabetic rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with single intra peritoneal dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg body weight [BW]) to develop animal model of diabetes. Post 21 days of STZ induction, animals were treated with aqueous A. indica leaf extract (ALE, 600 mg/kg BW) for seven consecutive days. Followed this, all animals were evaluated for the levels of blood glucose, lipid peroxidation (LPO), C-reactive proteins (CRP), pro-oxidant biomarkers and histological changes. Results: STZ treated rats exhibited elevated levels of blood glucose, LPO, CRP, and altered pro-oxidant biomarkers in comparison to control rats. In additionally, histological alterations/damage was evidenced as fragmentation, vacuolization, inflammation, etc. However, ALE treatment to these rats significantly decreased blood glucose levels, LPO, CRP levels, and restored pro-oxidants status. Light microscopic and ultramicroscopic analysis also indicated less damage, tissue architectural changes in comparison to untreated diabetic rats. Further, decrease in hyperalgesia and inflammation levels along with protective and restorative changes following ALE treatment suggested the neuroprotective potential of A. indica leaves in diabetic rats. Conclusion: The oral administration of ALE to STZ induced diabetic animals resulted in neuroprotection against degenerative oxidative stress associated with metabolic and histopathological damage in the brain.