The Combined Extract of Zingiber officinale and Zea mays (Purple Color) Improves Neuropathy, Oxidative Stress, and Axon Density in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Jintanaporn Wattanathorn; Paphaphat Thiraphatthanavong; Supaporn Muchimapura; Wipawee Thukhammee; Kamol Lertrat; Bhalang Suriharn

doi:10.1155/2015/301029

The Combined Extract of Zingiber officinale and Zea mays (Purple Color) Improves Neuropathy, Oxidative Stress, and Axon Density in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015:2015:301029. doi: 10.1155/2015/301029. Epub 2015 Apr 12.

Authors

Jintanaporn Wattanathorn¹, Paphaphat Thiraphatthanavong², Supaporn Muchimapura¹, Wipawee Thukhammee¹, Kamol Lertrat³, Bhalang Suriharn³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand ; Integrative Complementary Alternative Medicine Research and Development Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
² Integrative Complementary Alternative Medicine Research and Development Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
³ Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.

Abstract

Based on the protective effect of the combined extract of purple waxy corn and ginger (PWCG) on oxidative stress related disorders in diabetic condition, we aimed to determine the effect of PWCG on the functional, biochemical, and structural change of the lesion nerve in streptozotocin- (STZ-) diabetic rats. PWCG at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg·kg(-1) BW were orally given to STZ-diabetic rats which were subjected to chronic constriction (CCI) at right sciatic nerve for 21 days. The blood sugar was assessed before and at the end of study whereas the sciatic function index (SFI), paw withdrawal threshold intensity (PWTI), and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were assessed every 3 days until the end of study. At the end of study, the determination of nerve conduction velocity (NCV), axon density, oxidative stress status, and aldose reductase (AR) activity of the lesion nerve were performed. It was found that PWCG improved SFI, PWTI, PWL, and NCV together with the improved oxidative stress status and the axon density in the lesion nerve. No changes of AR activity or blood sugar level were observed. Therefore, PWCG might improve the functional and structural changes in STZ-diabetic rats plus CCI via the improved oxidative stress status.