title: Berberine ameliorates cold and mechanical allodynia in a rat model of diabetic neuropathy.
abstract: This study evaluated the antiallodynic properties of berberine on cold and mechanical allodynia after streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes using a rat model. Diabetic neuropathy was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. To measure cold and mechanical allodynia, a 4°C plate and von Frey filament were used, respectively. Cold and mechanical allodynia induced by diabetes were significantly decreased by single and repeated intraperitoneal treatment of amitriptyline at 10 mg/kg, and berberine at 10 and 20 mg/kg. The hepatic malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly increased in diabetic rats as compared with those in intact rats; however, in amitriptyline- and berberine-treated rats, they were significantly decreased as compared to the STZ control. The overall effects of berberine 20 mg/kg on cold and mechanical allodynia were quite similar to those of amitriptyline 10 mg/kg, and berberine exhibited similar antioxidant effects as the same dosage of amitriptyline. In conclusion, berberine (10 and 20 mg/kg) was observed to have antiallodynic effects against diabetes, which are presumed to be associated with antioxidative effects. It can be considered that the anti-inflammatory or antidepressant capacity of berberine could contribute to the antiallonynic effects shown in this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Si Oh
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Jee
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants; D001599:Berberine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001599:Berberine; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase