Berberine ameliorates diabetic neuropathic pain in a rat model: involvement of oxidative stress, inflammation, and μ-opioid receptors

Berberine, a chemical found in plants, is used as a supplement for diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the effects and the underlying molecular regulations of berberine in diabetic neuropathic pain in a rat model of diabetes. Rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes and then were treated with berberine. Blood glucose levels and body weight were measured. Thermal and mechanical nociception were assessed by paw pressure test and hot tail immersion test. Oxidative stress was assessed by lipid peroxidation, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and catalase activity. Neuroinflammation was assessed by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein levels. Finally, mu-opioid receptor (MOR) protein and mRNA levels were measured. We found that berberine treatment partially suppressed blood glucose levels and restored body weight in diabetic rats. Berberine also suppressed STZ-induced oversensitivity of mechanical and thermal nociception. Additionally, berberine partially suppressed oxidative stress and inflammation of diabetic rats. Finally, berberine significantly enhanced protein and mRNA expression levels of mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Our findings suggest that berberine is a potential therapeutic alleviating diabetes and diabetic neuropathic pain, probably through suppression of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation that may be mediated by MOR.