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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Rat Model of Photochemically-Induced Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Published on: November 29, 2015
Study of nuclear factor-2 erythroid related factor-2 activator, berberine, in paclitaxel induced peripheral
Jagjit Singh1, Lekha Saha1, Neha Singh1
1Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
Objectives:
The role of nuclear factor-2 erythroid related factor-2 (Nrf2) activator, berberine (BBR), has been established in rat model of streptozotocin induced diabetic neuropathy. Around 30-40% of cancer patients, on paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy develop peripheral neuropathy. The present study was contemplated with the aim of establishing the neuropathy preventive role of BBR, in paclitaxel induced peripheral neuropathy model in rats.
Methods:
A total of 30 Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows: Group I: dimethyl sulfoxide; Group II: PTX+ 0.9% NaCl; Group III: Amitriptyline (ATL) + PTX; Group IV: BBR (10 mg/kg) + PTX and Group V: BBR (20 mg/kg) + PTX. Animals were assessed for tail flick latency, tail cold allodynia latency, histopathological scores, oxidative stress parameters, and mRNA expression of the Nrf2 gene in the sciatic nerve.
Key Findings:
Berberine significantly increased the tail flick and tail cold allodynia latencies and significantly decreased the histopathological score. BBR reduced oxidative stress by significantly decreasing the lipid peroxidation, increasing the superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione levels in the sciatic nerve. BBR also increased the mRNA expression of Nrf2 gene in rat sciatic nerve.
Conclusions:
All of these results showed the neuropathy preventing role of BBR in PTX induced neuropathy pain model in rats.
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