AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF VANDA TESTACEA IN SCIATIC NERVE TRANSECTION-INDUCED NEUROPATHY IN RATS.

Abstract

The present study was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effects of Vanda testacea (VT) in sciatic nerve transection (axotomy)-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats. Adult male albino rats weighing 130-150gm were used for the study, and were divided into five groups and axotomy was performed on left sciatic nerve in group II to group V. Tail cold-hyperalgesia, motor co-ordination, foot deformation tests, and total calcium levels were  estimated  to assess  the extent of  neuropathy.  Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxides (LPO), calcium, prostaglandin E2 levels were estimated. Hydro-alcoholic extract of VT was administered at a dose of 175 and 350 mg/kg/p.o for 15 days. VT attenuated sciatic nerve transection-induced motor in-coordination, reversed axotomy-induced alterations in lipid peroxides, total calcium, superoxide dismutase, catalase levels in a dose-dependent manner. Ameliorative effects of VT in axotomy-induced neuropathy may be due to its antioxidant, calcium and prostaglandin attenuating actions.