Background: The present study was designed to investigate the neuropathic activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. against Paclitaxel induced peripheral neuropathy in rats.

Materials and Methods: Peripheral neuropathy was induced by a single i.p injection of Paclitaxel 2mg/kg for four alternative days 0, 2,4,6. The ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa was administered 100, 200, 400 mg/kg, p.o. daily up to 28 days. Neuropathic pain was assessed via various behavioral parameters procedures viz., Eddy’s hot plate test and cold water tail immersion test, pinprick, Acetone drop, photoactometer tests were performed to assess the degree of thermal, mechanical hyperalgesia, cold allodynia along with locomotor activity.

Result: In this study Paclitaxel induced rats showed decreased tail withdrawal latency, and increased paw withdrawal latency along with decreased locomotor activity was observed for various behavioural tests. After treating rats with Boerhaavia diffusa L. at various doses 100, 200, 400 mg/kg, p.o. daily up to 28 days, the animals showed improvement in tail and paw withdrawal latency and locomotor activity in dose dependent manner.

Conclusion: The present study reveals the supplementation of B. diffusa L., extract ameliorates the pacliatxel induced neuropathy via above mentioned actions.

Keywords: Neuropathic pain, Paclitaxel, Boerhaavia diffusa L.

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Dr Sandeep Kamlekar

Assistant Professor; Department of Pharmacology, Geetanjali Medical College & Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India