Pharmacopuncture of Bauhinia variegata Nanoemulsion Formulation against Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

Objectives: The objective of the study was to prepare Bauhinia variegata loaded nanoemulsion(formulation and determine the efficacy of herbal drug formulation against diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain through acupuncture technique. Methods: Nine different batches of nanoemulsion (NE1 NE9) of BVN was prepared by varying the S-mix ratio and the concentration of oil. BVN was characterized to determine particle size, shape, zeta potential, polydispersity index, optical transmittance, drug release profile and storage stability. The optimized formulation was subjected to plantar test, behavioral tests of neuropathic pain and Von Frey filament stimulation test. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared solution of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) to the experimental rats. Animals were made diabetic divided into four groups, Group I was untreated normal control group, Group II was diabetic control group, Group III was Bauhinia variegata extract (treated group (100 mg/kg/day, p.o) and Group IV was BVN treated groups (100 mg/kg/day, p.o) acute and chronically. Results: The prepared B. variegata loaded nanoemulsion was nanosized (124 nm), spherical, uniform and stable over the period of 180 days with no change in physiochemical properties. The blood glucose and body weight of animals was normalizing after four weeks of treatment that was significant with BVN in comparison to diabetic control group. The chronic administration of BVN significantly (P<0.001) decreased hind paw withdrawal latency and attenuated mechanical allodynia as compared with diabetic rats. Conclusion: Thus, BVN may be an effective drug formulation against diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.