Beneficial effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the rat model

Diabetic neuropathic pain is characterized by spontaneous pain with hyperalgesia and allodynia. We investigated whether (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate could improve diabetic neuropathic pain development through hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg/once) and treated with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (25 mg/kg/orally/once/daily/5 weeks). Diabetic rats showed an increase in serum levels of glucose, nitric oxide, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol with a decrease in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and body weight. Also, there was an elevation in brain malondialdehyde with a marked reduction in brain levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Furthermore, diabetic rats showed a clear reduction in plasma levels of insulin and an increase in plasma cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Moreover, diabetic rats exhibited hyperalgesia as indicated by a hot plate, tail immersion, formalin, and carrageenan-induced edema tests as well as brain histopathological changes (neuron degeneration, gliosis, astrocytosis, congestion and hemorrhage). (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate treatment ameliorated alterations in body weight, biochemical parameters, pain sensation, and histopathological changes in brain tissue. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate offers promising hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can prevent the development and progression of diabetic neuropathic pain.