title: An evaluation of the protective role of Ficus racemosa Linn. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy with neurodegeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ficus racemosa (FR) is one of the herbs mentioned in the scriptures of the Ayurveda as Udumbara with high medicinal value. The objective of this study was to estimate the protective effect of FR against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic neuropathy with neurodegeneration (DNN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats with STZ and were divided into six groups namely diabetic vehicle control, FR (four) and glibenclamide (one) treated rats; while one group was of normal control rats. After the 4(th) week of diabetes, induction treatment was started for further 28 days (5(th) to 8(th) week) with FR aqueous extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) and ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). Investigation of DNN was carried out through biochemical and behavioral parameter assessment in rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study showed a significant fall in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood glucose level by the treatment of FR in diabetic rats. Antioxidant potential of FR showed a great rise in superoxide dismutase, catalase content and reduction observed in serum nitrite level; while significant fall in lipid peroxidation level and of C-reactive protein was observed in FR treated diabetic rats. Further FR treated diabetic rats also showed marked improvement in tail flick latency, pain threshold, the rise in locomotion and fall latency period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with FR shows protection in the multiple pathways of DNN by improving blood glucose, HbA1c, biochemical, and behavioral parameters, which suggest the protective role of FR in the reversal of DNN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Ramanbhai Patel College of Pharmacy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Nilay D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Solanki
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vanbandhu College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Shailesh K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhavsar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D030681:Ficus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Behavioral parameters; Ficus racemosa; biochemical parameters; diabetes mellitus; diabetic neuropathy with neurodegeneration