Amelioration of Paclitaxel Induced Neuropathy by Gymnema sylvestre in Wistar Rats

Background and Objective: Paclitaxel is commonly used taxane in the treatment of various solid tumors, developing symptoms of neuropathy in 60 to 90% of patients. Gymnema sylvestre has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. So this study aims to assess its efficacy in paclitaxel-induced neuropathy and evaluate the effects of Gymnema sylvestre on behavioral, electrophysiological, biochemical, and histopathological changes in paclitaxel-induced neuropathy in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats (n = 6) were divided into six groups. Neuropathy was caused by four injections of Paclitaxel (2 mg/kg, i.p) on alternate days. Treatment with G. sylvestre (100, 200, 400 mg/kg p.o.) and Gabapentin (300 mg/kg p.o.) started after the last paclitaxel injection for the next 4 weeks. Behavioral changes were assessed weekly. Motor nerve conduction velocity was studied at the end of treatment. After animal sacrifice, biochemical and histopathological studies were performed using sciatic nerve homogenate. Data are expressed as Mean±SEM and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s test using GraphPad Prism (v10.2.3), where *p<0.05. Results: Various doses of G. sylvestre significantly reversed the behavioral changes assessed by hot plate (p<0.05), cold plate (p<0.01), actophotometer (p<0.05) and von Frey filament (p<0.01), electrophysiological (Nerve conduction velocity with p<0.01), biochemical (MDA, GSH, SOD with p<0.01), and histopathological changes induced by paclitaxel in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The G. sylvestre exhibits antioxidant, antihyperalgesic and neuroprotective effects and protects against paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. Thus G. sylvestrecould be used as a new therapeutic approach along with current medicines in treating peripheral neuropathy.