Therapeutic Assessment of Aegle Marmelos and Tribulus Terrestris in Experimentally induced Neuropathic Pain

Abstract

This study was mainly aimed to establish the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect of the selected herbs against neuropathic pain and inhibiting property of the extracts on inflammatory pathways. The saponins of Tribulus terrestris TT (S) and hydroalcoholic extracts of Aegle marmelos (AMHE) were able to prevent the RAW cells from LPS intoxication which cause the lysis of cell walls and release of inflammatory mediators. The extracts were also found to protect the nervous system against vincristine induced neuropathic pain. The extracts prevented the damage of the sciatic nerve/brain and spinal cord tissues after focal injury caused by chronic constriction injury model. The extracts were found to reduce the toxicity state of the brain caused due to increase in glutamate levels. By elevating GAD enzyme levels the extracts stimulate the conversion of glutamate into GABA and thus neutralizing the excitotoxicity. TT (S) and AMHE were found to be active in inhibiting the inflammatory mediators like TNF-and#945;, IL-1and#946;, IL-6 and IL-10 alongwith excitatory neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate. Hence both the extracts possess anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect to control acute and chronic inflammation. Both the extracts were found to ameliorate iNOS-2 and COX-2 enzymes responsible for the synthesis of nitric oxide and prostaglandins. Hence the extracts were found to inhibit the pathway involving these enzymes. AMHE additionally was screened for its activity on stress and apoptotic markers. It was found that the stress markers JNK-1 and 3, GSK-3and#946;, NGF, NFkB etc and apoptotic markers like BAX, BCL2, Akt-1 etc were ameliorated proving the potency of the extract to act on anti-inflammatory pathways. Hence by the observations of the study we conclude that TT (S) and AMHE can ameliorate the inflammation and nervous system degeneration caused by mechanical and chemical injury. It also regenerated the cells caused by apoptotic damage as it was seen to lower the oxidative stress and the apoptotic markers. newline