Fullerene C60 nanoparticle attenuates pain and tumor necrosis factor-α protein expression in the hippocampus following diabetic neuropathy in rats

Introduction: Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. It is associated with nerve damage due to oxidative stress and high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we examined the anti-nociceptive effects of Fullerene nanoparticle, as a potent anti-oxidant, during diabetic neuropathy. Methods: Diabetes mellitus induced through injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg). Four groups were used in the study as follows: the control, control+fullerene, diabetes, and diabetes +fullerene groups. All four groups received sesame oil. Treatment rats received fullerene C60 (1mg/kg/day) for 9 weeks by intra-gastric gavage. Then, cold allodynia, histology, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) protein expression of the hippocampus were measured 9 weeks after injection of STZ. Results: Our data revealed that STZ induces cold allodynia in both hind paws and increases the TNF- α protein expression in the hippocampus. Furthermore, STZ induces neural degeneration in the hippocampus. Additionally, fullerene C60 significantly attenuated cold allodynia and TNF- α protein expression. Also, fullerene C60 has neuro-protective effects on hippocampal neurons. However, fullerene C60 did not significantly reduce serum glucose levels in diabetic animals. Conclusion: Our data suggest that fullerene C60 likely suppressed pain, and neural loss by inhibitory effects on TNF- α protein expression in the hippocampus during diabetes.