~ 482 ~  The Pharma Innovation Journal 2018; 7(1): 482-485 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.03 TPI 2018; 7(1): 482-485 © 2018 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 01-11-2017 Accepted: 02-12-2017 Pooja Verma Assistant Professor, School of Medical & Allied Sciences, G.D Goenka University, Gurgaon, Haryana, India Correspondence Pooja Verma Assistant Professor, School of Medical & Allied Sciences, G.D Goenka University, Gurgaon, Haryana, India Effect of alpha-lipoic acid and its Nano-formulation on streptozotocin induced diabetic neuropathy in Rats Pooja Verma Abstract Diabetic Neuropathy is the most prevalent and costly complication of hyperglycemia that is affecting half of the patient worldwide and its incidence rate has increased upto several folds. It includes impairment of pain signalling pathways. The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid in Streptozotocin induced diabetic neuropathic pain in rats by oral route, intraperitoneal route, Preparation of nano-emulsion of alpha lipoic acid and evaluate its effect by oral and intraperitoneal route as well as to determine effect of alpha-lipoic acid on diabetes itself. Alpha-lipoic acid and its Nano-formulation was orally and intraperitoneal administered to STZ induced diabetic rats for 3 weeks. Tail flick latency and tail immersion test were done to determine thermal hyperalgesia, Randall-selitto paw pressure test to determine mechanical hyperalgesia, von-frey hair to mechano-tactile allodynia and Hot plate for mechanical nociception at different time intervals i.e., 2nd and 3rd week. Keywords: Diabetic neuropathy, Nano-formulation, Allodynia, Hyperalgesia, Neuropathic pain 1. Introduction Diabetes Mellitus is associated with oxidative stress in both animals and human beings. Long term hyperglycaemia evokes enhanced polyol pathway, increased non-enzymatic glycation of structural proteins, enhanced oxidative stress and in addition PKC activation all interrelated for the cause and development of DN. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes is the most reliable long term hyperglycaemic model which is considered to be most stable. The mechanism of STZ is still unclear but several times it is reported that it causes pancreatic cell destruction by undergoing methylation through damaging the DNA. The current mainstream drugs for treatment of diabetic neuropathy includes antiepileptic agents (gabapentin and pregabalin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of DN. The drugs are largely included within the classifications of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, anaesthetics/anti-arrythmics, vasodilators, anti-dementia agents, and opioids. For many of these medications, use for neuropathic pain is off-label; they were approved by the Food and Drug Administration for other indications. Many are in the news for questionable side effects (eg, increased blood pressure and oedema from salt retention with fludrocortisones). So more researchers are turning towards the bioactive compounds and herbal remedies to find the better pharmacotherapy for diabetic that will negate the side effects usually associated with the current mainstream drug. Alpha-lipoic acid a well-known antioxidant. It is known for its high chelating property with metal ions with doing so oxidative induced due to iron is prevented. ALA increase the synthesis of GSH by mediating gene expression induced by NrF. Also ALA is have the ability to increase nerve regeneration and regeneration of antioxidants like vitamin c and GSH. Oral formulations of Alpha-lipoic acid present problems due to characteristics of the molecule, Short blood half-life (t1⁄2 ~ 30 minutes). It has poor solubility. Therefore resulting in low- Oral Bioavailability 30%Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an important micronutrient with several pharmacologic as well as antioxidant properties [19] . Oral formulations present problems due to characteristics of the molecule and of the pharmaceutical forms. It is known that ALA is poorly soluble; therefore to increase the solubility was reticulated into a Nano-emulsion formulation. Previously solubility of alpha-lipoic acid is enhanced by techniques such as (microonisation and salification) but these techniques possess several drawbacks. Therefore, in the present research. We are making Nano-formulation particularly Nano-emulsion for bioavailability enhancement of alpha-lipoic acid.