Arabic gum acacia improves diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats: a biochemical and histopathological evidence

Abstract

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus and unfortunately, its present therapeutic alternatives are exceptionally poor. Objectives of this study was to assess the antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic action of Gum Arabic (GA) and its role in promoting the functional recovery from diabetic neuropathy developed in in an experimental model of diabetic neuropathy.Methods: Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized and randomly assigned into six groups (n= 10); control, Arabic gum-treated, untreated diabetic, diabetic received metformin, diabetic received metformin and B12 vitamin and diabetic received metformin, B12 vitamin and AG. Locomotor activity and hyperalgesia were assed at the end of the study. Fasting and two hours post-prandial blood glucose, serum insulin levels, lipid Profile, oxidants/antioxidants parameters were assessed in the blood. Sciatic nerve was assessed histopathologically.Results: The locomotor activity of the untreated diabetic rats was significantly (p<0.001) reduced compared to the control group while it was significantly increased in all treated groups. The lipid profile and Malondialdehyde were significantly improved in all treated groups. Levels of CAT, GSH, SOD, GPx were significantly decreased in untreated diabetic group compared to the control while they were significantly increased in all treated groups compared to the untreated diabetic group. Sciatic nerve fibers of untreated diabetic rats showed degenerated axons with dilated myelin sheaths and degenerated Schwann cells. The nerve had significantly fewer fiber compared to the control. These changes were alleviated in all the treated groups specifically that received metformin, vitamin B12 and GA.Conclusions: It could be concluded that Arabic gum had hypoglycemic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity and had a protective effect on diabetic neuropathy. Based on this it is recommended that human clinical trials are necessary to prove this therapeutic effect.