Beneficial effect of Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn., on diabetic neuropathy, cognitive dysfunction and cardiac complications in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Pharmacological relevanceCaesalpinia pulcherrima L. is used in Indian Traditional Medicinal system to treat Diabetes. AimThis study was carried out to evaluate the standardized alcoholic extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima seed (CPS) in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathic and cardiac complications in rodents. Materials and methodsHPLC finger printing profile of CPS was performed to identify the bioactive molecules. Two doses of CPS (100 & 200 mg/kg b.w.) was orally administered daily once for six weeks to streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced diabetic rats. Every week intervals hot & cold immersion tests were carried to know the effect of CPS on peripheral neuropathy. In addition, blood glucose, body weight, food and water intake were also monitored. At the end of the study, sciatic nerve conduction velocity, diabetic cardiomyopathy and diabetic cognitive parameters were evaluated. Furthermore, histopathological studies of sciatic nerve and aortic strip were also carried out. ResultsHPLC finger print experiment showed the presence of gallic acid and protocatechuic acid. Administration of CPS for six weeks significantly prevented the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), cardiomyopathy and cognitive dysfunction in diabetic rats. The CPS treated rats displayed prominent (P<0.001) improvement in motor coordination, muscle grip, locomotor activity and memory in diabetic rats. CPS treatment restored elevated systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and heart rate to near normal in diabetic condition. These observed beneficial effects were well correlated and justified with histopathological studies. In addition, CPS treatment also exhibited significant (P<0.001) reduction of loss in body weight, and reduce the water and feed intake throughout the study. ConclusionTaken together, the present study provided a good insight in the therapeutic efficacy of Caesalpinia pulcherrima seed extract in dealing with diabetic complications. The study also scientifically justifies the ethnomedicinal/traditional claims of the title plant.