Effect of antioxidants such as β-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E on oxidative stress, thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of antioxidants such as β-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E on oxidative stress, thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The hyperalgesia and allodynia was assessed by estimating tail withdrawal latency in warm and cold water immersion method. Furthermore, serum TBARS and plasma GSH levels were estimated to assess the oxidative stress. Treatment with β-carotene (10 mg/kg/day i.p.), vitamin C (10 mg/kg/day i.p.) and vitamin E (40 mg/kg/day i.p.) showed significant ameliorative effects on thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Moreover, treatment with β-carotene markedly prevented thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. ADDRESS OF RESEARCH WORK Department of Pharmacology, I.S.F. College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab-142 001, India