| Group 1 |
Normal control |
Rats were administered 0.9 % w/v normal saline (10 mL/kg; p.o.) for 28 days. The behavioural tests were performed on the different days, i.e., day 0, 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Thereafter, all the animals were sacrificed and sciatic nerves were isolated and subjected to biochemical analysis for the estimation of TBARS, reduced GSH, total protein, TNF-α, IL-6 and histopathological examinations. |
| Group 2 |
Paclitaxel control |
Paclitaxel (8 mg/kg; i.p. in four divided doses) for 4 alternate days was administered to rats. The behavioural tests, the biochemical parameters and histopathogical examinations were assessed as mentioned in group 1. |
| Group 3 |
Paclitaxel + Oral Duloxetine HCl |
Paclitaxel (8 mg/kg; i.p. in four divided doses) on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 was administered to rats followed by oral duloxetine HCl (30 mg/kg, once a day) initiated from day 14 to day 28. The behavioural tests, the biochemical parameters and histopathogical examinations were assessed as mentioned in group 1. |
| Group 4 |
Paclitaxel + Formulated dermal gel (once a day) |
Paclitaxel (8 mg/kg; i.p. in four divided doses) on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 was administered to rats followed by application of formulated dermal gel (once a day) on hind paw initiated from day 14 to day 28. The behavioural tests, the biochemical parameters and histopathogical examinations were assessed as mentioned in group 1. |
| Group 5 |
Paclitaxel + Formulated dermal gel (twice a day) |
Paclitaxel (8 mg/kg; i.p. in four divided doses) on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 was administered to rats followed by application of formulated dermal gel (twice a day) on hind paw initiated from day 14 to day 28. The behavioural tests, the biochemical parameters and histopathogical examinations were assessed as mentioned in group 1. |
