AN EVALUATION OF THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF ESCITALOPRAM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Objective: The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the protective role of escitalopram in streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats with streptozocin 70 mg/kg and animals were divided into four groups namely normal control, diabetic vehicle control, glibenclamide control and escitalopram group. After the 4^th week of diabetes induction treatment was started for further 28 days (5^th to 8^th week) with escitalopram 20 mg/kg. Evaluation of diabetic neuropathy was performed after 8 weeks of single injection of streptozotocin (70 mg/kg i.v.) in rats. Blood glucose level, grip strength, locomotor activity, pain sensitivity and threshold in diabetic rats were measured. Results: The results of the present study indicate that the 8 weeks treatment of escitalopram demonstrates hypoglycemic effect; it marked decreases the blood glucose level in diabetic treated animals. There was also decrease in the grip strength in diabetic rat indicates to induction of neuropathy or nerve damage. Escitalopram increases the grip strength of diabetic rats. There was also found loss of pain perception in diabetes rats which measured using hot plate and tail-flick methods. Escitalopram increases the licking time, and withdrawal latency in hot plate and tail-flick test respectively indicates the presence of pain perception and prevention of nerve damage demonstrates its protective effect in diabetic neuropathy. Conclusion: Our study concludes the chronic treatment of escitalopram significantly decreases the glycemic level as well as it protected from the development of diabetic neuropathy.