Possible protective effects of Ficus carica seed oil and lowintensity ultrasound in experimental diabetic neuropathy

Aim: To investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of Ficus carica seed oil (FCSO) and low-intensity ultrasound (US) and their combined applications in experimental diabetic neuropathy induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Material and Methods: Adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: control (healthy), diabetic (untreated diabetic), diabetic + FCSO, diabetic + US, diabetic + FCSO + US group. Diabetes was induced as a result of single dose (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneal (i.p) administration of STZ. Rats in the FCSO group were given FCSO at a dose of 4 ml/kg/day via oral gavage for 5 weeks. In the US applied group, it was applied to a 5 cm 2 skin surface with a power density of 1.5 W/cm 2 and a frequency of 1 MHz for 3 min/day for 5 weeks. In the combined group, first the same doses of FCÇY were given and then US was applied. Blood sugar was measured in rats at the beginning and end of treatment, and insulin and HbA1C levels were measured at the end of treatment. Nociceptive changes were determined by applying the hot plate test at the beginning of neuropathy and at the end of treatment. At the end of treatment; Sciatic nerve electrophysiological measurements were performed and levels of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation biomarkers were determined. ​Results: STZ-induced diabetes; It was observed that it caused an increase in blood glucose values and HgA1C values, a decrease in insulin levels, an increase in nociceptive response times, a decrease in nerve conduction velocity, an increase in oxidative stress parameters and neuroinflammation biomarker values, and the values approached healthy control values with separate and combined FCSO and US treatments. Conclusion: Ficus carica seed oil (FCSO) and low-intensity ultrasound (US) and combined (FCSO+US) treatment have neuroprotective effects against diabetic neuropathy. Keywords: Diabetic neuropathy, Ficus carica seed oil, Low intensity ultrasound, Oxidative stress, Inflammation.