Zahra Hajializadeh1, Sima Nasri2, Ayat Kaeidi3, Vahid Sheibani4, Bahram Rasoulian3, Saeed Esmaeili-Mahani5. 1. Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Biology, PayamNoor University, 19395-4697 Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Biology, PayamNoor University, 19395-4697 Tehran, Iran. 3. Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khoramabad, Iran. 4. Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 5. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, P.O. Box 76135-133, Kerman, Iran. Electronic address: semahani@yahoo.com.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Since Thymus caramanicus Jalas is used as a folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, skin disorders, bacterial infections and diabetes and it contain antioxidant agents, we decided to investigate the possible effects of Thymus caramanicus Jalas (TCJ) extract on in vitro and in vivo models of diabetic neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high glucose-induced cell injury in Pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used. Tail-flick and rotarod treadmill assessments were used to determine nociceptive threshold and motor coordination. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay test. Western blotting was performed to measurement of apoptosis markers. RESULTS: The data showed that elevation of glucose consecutively increases functional cell injury and apoptosis. Furthermore, diabetic rats developed thermal hyperalgesia and motor deficit. Activated caspase 3, cytochrome c release and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were significantly increased in high glucose-treated PC12 cells and in spinal cord of diabetic animals. TCJ extract (60 and 80 µg/ml) attenuates high glucose-induced PC12 cells damage and apoptosis. In diabetic animals, TCJ extract at daily doses of 100 and 150 mg/kg ameliorated hyperalgesia and suppressed spinal apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that TCJ extract has neuroprotective effects against high glucose-induced neural damage. These protective effects are mediated, at least in part, through attenuation of neural apoptosis and suggest therapeutic potential of TCJ extract in amelioration of diabetic neuropathy.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Since Thymus caramanicus Jalas is used as a folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, skin disorders, bacterial infections and diabetes and it contain antioxidant agents, we decided to investigate the possible effects of Thymus caramanicus Jalas (TCJ) extract on in vitro and in vivo models of diabetic neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high glucose-induced cell injury in Pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and streptozotocin-induced diabeticrats were used. Tail-flick and rotarod treadmill assessments were used to determine nociceptive threshold and motor coordination. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay test. Western blotting was performed to measurement of apoptosis markers. RESULTS: The data showed that elevation of glucose consecutively increases functional cell injury and apoptosis. Furthermore, diabeticrats developed thermal hyperalgesia and motor deficit. Activated caspase 3, cytochrome c release and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were significantly increased in high glucose-treated PC12 cells and in spinal cord of diabetic animals. TCJ extract (60 and 80 µg/ml) attenuates high glucose-induced PC12 cells damage and apoptosis. In diabetic animals, TCJ extract at daily doses of 100 and 150 mg/kg ameliorated hyperalgesia and suppressed spinal apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that TCJ extract has neuroprotective effects against high glucose-induced neural damage. These protective effects are mediated, at least in part, through attenuation of neural apoptosis and suggest therapeutic potential of TCJ extract in amelioration of diabetic neuropathy.