Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Effect and mechanism of action of Rhodiola rosea L on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats based on Synapsin-I

Yaping Sun¹, Nengjuan Li²

¹Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhuji Peopleâ€™s Hospital, No. 9 Jianmin Road, Taozhu Street, Zhuji, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 311800, China; ²Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 318 Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310005, China.

For correspondence:- Nengjuan Li Email: linengjuan2007@163.com Tel:+8657185288221

Accepted: 27 May 2023 Published: 30 June 2023

Citation: Sun Y, Li N. Effect and mechanism of action of Rhodiola rosea L on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats based on Synapsin-I. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(6):1211-1218 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i6.10

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanism of action of Rhodiola rosea L. on diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) based on Synapsin-I.

Methods: The extract of Rhodiola rosea L. was obtained by preparing the crude medicine of traditional Chinese medicine. The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated to three groups: normal, DGP, and DGP+Rhodiola rosea L. groups. Rats in DGP+Rhodiola rosea L. group were treated with Rhodiola rosea L. once daily for 5 weeks at a dose of 150 mg·kg-1·day-1, while rats in DGP group received an equivalent volume of saline by oral gavage. Parameters were evaluated include body weight, fasting glucose level, gastric emptying rate and gastric acid secretion. Histopathological examination of the stomach was performed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Immunohistochemistry, cellular immunofluorescence, as well as western blot were employed to determine the expressions of Synapsin-I and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5).

Results: Compared normal group, the body weight or rats in DGP group decreased, blood glucose was elevated, gastric acid secretion level decreased, and gastric emptying rate increased (p < 0.05). Besides, they also showed signs of misalignment of gastric mucosal glands, enlarged intercellular space, and significantly reduced protein expressions of PGP9.5 and Synapsin-I. Administration of Rhodiola rosea L. extract reversed the above changes in DGP rats, and also elevated the protein expression of both PGP9.5 and synapsin-I.

Conclusion: Rhodiola rosea L. extract exerts a protective effect in DGP by enhancing synaptic plasticity via upregulation of expression of synapsin-I. Thus, an experimental basis has been established for the potential clinical application of Rhodiola rosea L. extract in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Keywords: Rhodiola rosea L, Diabetic gastroparesis, Synapsin-I, Synaptic plasticity, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy