Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus that affects peripheral nerves and is characterized by symptoms such as frequent tingling, pain, or numbness.
A UGM Student Creativity Program (PKM) team has conducted innovative research to address this common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) using bioactive compounds from red grapes. The aim is to provide a more effective therapy for diabetic neuropathy.
Five students from various faculties carried out the research: Puji Kurnellawati and Adha Fauzi Hendrawan from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), Fauziah Rahma Zora Rustiawan and Araya Pangastuti from the Faculty of Pharmacy (Pharmacy UGM), and M. Syuja Rizqullah from the Vocational College (SV UGM).
Dr. Rio Jati Kusuma from the Nutrition Department of FK-KMK UGM mentored the team. They investigated the potential of resveratrol in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC) to prevent the progression of neuropathy in a DM animal model.
Puji Kurnellawati explained that in this study, the team used red grape extraction to obtain resveratrol, which was then encapsulated in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC). The therapeutic effectiveness of this was tested on Wistar rats.
Various factors were examined, including blood glucose levels, pain response, antioxidant gene expression, and sciatic nerve histology.
“The results showed that the use of NLC was able to lower blood glucose levels and inflammation, as well as improve motor function in DM model rats,” Kurnellawati said in a statement sent to journalists on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
According to Kurnellawati, the research findings indicated significant differences between treatment groups’ foot withdrawal latency, blood glucose, and TNF-α levels. This discovery suggests that NLC enhances the bioavailability of resveratrol and effectively reduces symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
“This approach holds great potential as a better preventive therapy for people with diabetes,” she added.
Kurnellawati noted that this research provides a potential solution for diabetic neuropathy sufferers and opens new opportunities for drug and therapy development by encapsulating resveratrol in NLC.
She hopes the research results will be accessible to the public and encourage further discussion and collaboration in drug research.
“This finding is expected to be a foundation for further development in diabetic neuropathy therapy and to help improve the quality of life for people with diabetes,” she said.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Image: Freepik