Papers of the Week

Elevated reactive species and AGEs contribute to deregulation of transcription factors e.g., NF-κB and Nrf2 in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Okanin, a bioactive chalcone, is active against redox imbalance, immune response, and pro-inflammatory events. The current investigation assessed effects of okanin in streptozotocin-induced DPN in rats. Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6): Control, DPN, Okanin 2.5, Okanin 5, Okanin 10, and Gpn (Gabapentin). After 6 weeks of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) injection, okanin (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg), and gabapentin (50 mg/kg), were administered for 4 weeks. The streptozotocin-induced reduction in body weight, and increased feed/water intake, insulin, glucose, and HbA1c levels were mitigated by okanin or gabapentin. In DPN rats, Okanin or gabapentin ameliorated insulin resistance and β-cell function, inflammatory indices, and oxidative stress in the sciatic nerve of rodents thereby culminating in a decrease in hyperalgesia and allodynia. Okanin and streptozotocin-treated rats had significantly declined levels of AGEs, the receptor for AGEs, and NF-κB, and an upsurge in Nrf2 expression. In streptozotocin-induced DPN model, okanin ameliorates nociceptive-like responses by regulating the AGEs/NF-κB/Nrf2 pathway, suggesting that okanin has therapeutic value against DPN which needs further studies involving human subjects.