A study on the possible role of date fruit on the electrophysiology and neuropathic changes in diabetic polyneuropathy.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease with many neurovascular complications particularly diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) that is mostly developed secondary to much release of reactive oxygen species (ROS, the potential mediators of DM-induced oxidative stress). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possible neuroprotective role of Date Fruit Extract (DFE), an antioxidant nutrient, in ameliorating the DPN in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty adult male rats were used in this study. They were divided into 4 equal groups. Group I (Control group). Group II (DEF group), supplemented orally with 250mg/kg DFE daily for 6 weeks, Group III (Diabetic group): The rats were rendered diabetic through their injection with 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally and Group IV (Diabetic-DFE group). At the end of 6 weeks-experimental period; fasting serum glucose, serum insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1ic), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) (as an index of inflammation), glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPX) (as an index of the tissue antioxidant enzyme defense activity) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (a tissue marker of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation) were measured. In addition, to ensure the development of DPN in the rats, the thermal pain threshold of the rats was assessed through a paw withdrawal latency (PWL) using the hot plate analgesia meter. In addition, Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) of the isolated sciatic nerves of the rats was assessed. The results revealed that the untreated diabetic group exhibited a significant increase of the serum glucose, Hb A1ic, serum MDA and serum TNF- together with a significant decrease of serum insulin and GPX. In addition, the PWL and NCV were significantly lower in the diabetic rats relative to the control group. Interestingly, when the diabetic rats were supplemented with DEF, a significant improvement of all the altered parameters was obtained. In conclusion, DEF has a beneficial effect in ameliorating the altered biochemical parameters and NCV in experimentally-induced DPN, probably through its antioxidant and its anti-inflammatory effects.

Potentials and Safety of Date Palm Fruit against Diabetes: A Critical Review

“…It is plausible that genistein, a flavonoid found in dates reduces β-cells apoptosis, increases β-cells number, promotes β-cells survival in pancreatic islets and preserves islets mass, subsequently increasing insulin secretion while reducing glucose levels due to activated liver-pyruvate kinase [55]. In another six-week in vivo study, Bendary et al [56] evaluated glucose, insulin and HbA1c levels in albino rats (n = 40). At the end of experiment, they found that serum glucose, insulin and HbA1c levels were 133.2 ± 7.2 mg/dL, 9.0 ± 0.2 µ/mL and 0.53 ± 0.02 mg/g Hb, respectively for date fruit extract-treated group as compared to 299.6 ± 16.7 mg/dL, 8.9 ± 0.7 µU/mL and 0.9 ± 0.05 mg/g Hb for untreated group (p < 0.05).…”

“…As a result, there is inhibition of the production of reactive oxygen species, which help to prevent oxidative stress and stimulate Schwann cells to produce nerve growth factors, helpful for neuronal support [61]. Similarly, Bendary et al [56] also observed neuroprotective activities of date palm fruit, although the mechanism was unclear.…”