Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paz Duran, Santiago Loya-Lopez, Dongzhi Ran, Cheng Tang, Aida Calderon-Rivera, Kimberly Gomez, Harrison J. Stratton, Sun Huang, Ya-ming Xu, E. M. Kithsiri Wijeratne, Samantha Perez-Miller, Zhiming Shan, Song Cai, Anna T. Gabrielsen, Angie Dorame, Kyleigh A. Masterson, Omar Alsbiei, Cynthia L. Madura, Guoqin Luo, Aubin Moutal, John Streicher, Gerald W. Zamponi, A. A. Leslie Gunatilaka, Rajesh Khanna
Summary: This study identified argentatin C, a compound derived from the Native American medicinal plant Parthenium incanum, which can block the activity of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels and has potential as a novel treatment for painful conditions. Experimental results demonstrated that argentatin C decreased ion currents and excitability in sensory neurons and relieved postsurgical pain in a mouse model. Therefore, argentatin C may serve as an alternative therapy for chronic pain management.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Muhammad Shahid, Fazal Subhan, Nazar Ul Islam, Nisar Ahmad, Umar Farooq, Sudhair Abbas, Ihsan Ullah, Naila Raziq, Zia Ud Din
Summary: This study demonstrated the potential of the aminothiol antioxidant Tiopronin in attenuating neuropathic pain in a chronic constriction injury rat model, reversing neuronal oxidative stress, and reducing allodynia and hyperalgesia, suggesting its therapeutic value.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Gabriela Trevisan, Sara Marchesan Oliveira
Summary: Pain is a complex phenomenon with diverse characteristics and meanings. Blocking voltage-gated calcium channels is an effective method to control refractory pain. Peptides derived from animal venoms have shown antinociceptive effects in acute and chronic pain models, making them a promising prototype for developing new analgesics.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kerri D. Pryce, Randal A. Serafini, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Andrew Nicolais, Ilinca M. Giosan, Claire Polizu, Angelica Torres-Berrio, Sreeya Vuppala, Hope Kronman, Anne Ruiz, Sevasti Gaspari, Catherine J. Pena, Farhana Sakloth, Vasiliki Mitsi, John van Duzer, Ralph Mazitschek, Matthew Jarpe, Li Shen, Eric J. Nestler, Venetia Zachariou
Summary: Oxycodone withdrawal led to transcriptomic changes in the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and medial prefrontal cortex, with HDAC1 as a common regulator. An inhibitor of HDAC1/HDAC2 reduced withdrawal symptoms. Physical dependence and addiction due to opioid analgesic misuse is a major concern. A mouse model of oxycodone exposure and withdrawal was developed, showing gene expression adaptations in the mentioned brain regions, particularly in mice with neuropathic pain. HDAC1 was identified as a key regulator, and an HDAC1/HDAC2 inhibitor attenuated withdrawal symptoms, especially in mice with neuropathic pain. This suggests a potential avenue for chronic pain patients dependent on opioids to transition to non-opioid analgesics.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Marc Russo, Brett Graham, Danielle M. Santarelli
Summary: Gabapentin is a commonly prescribed medication for neuropathic pain, but its efficacy is limited and it carries a high risk of adverse events. The analgesic mechanisms of gabapentin include direct inhibition of excitatory neurotransmission and indirect modulation of injury-induced synaptogenesis. The effects of gabapentin on glial cells and its translation from animal models to clinical outcomes remain unclear. The net effects of gabapentin's various actions should be considered when prescribing the medication, especially in cases of incomplete or lost response.
Review
Cell Biology
Norbert Weiss, Gerald W. Zamponi
Summary: Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels play a crucial role in regulating calcium entry into nerve endings and neurotransmitter release. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) not only modulate channel activity through second messengers, but also physically interact with calcium channels to regulate their function. Studying the regulation of calcium channels by classical opioid and nociceptin receptors is important for understanding neuronal functions and developing potential treatments for diseases.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haoyi Yang, Zhiming Shan, Weijie Guo, Yuwei Wang, Shuxian Cai, Fuyi Li, Qiaojie Huang, Jessica Aijia Liu, Chi Wai Cheung, Song Cai
Summary: Neuropathic pain is a global chronic disease with limited treatment options. This study identifies Narirutin, a natural compound derived from Citrus unshiu, as a potential analgesic for neuropathic pain. The research suggests that Na(v)1.7, a subtype of voltage-gated sodium channels, may be the molecular target for Narirutin's antinociceptive effects. This finding provides insights for the development of novel and selective analgesic drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kamila Kulik, Barbara Zyzynska-Granica, Agnieszka Kowalczyk, Przemyslaw Kurowski, Malgorzata Gajewska, Magdalena Bujalska-Zadrozny
Summary: The study demonstrates that Mg2+ enhances morphine analgesia in neuropathic rats by blocking NMDAR signaling, thus restoring the MOR-NMDAR complex.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jonathan G. Yost, Hildegard A. Wulf, Caroline A. Browne, Irwin Lucki
Summary: The ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-HNK shows potential as a non-opioid analgesic with late-developing antinociceptive effects and a better safety profile compared to ketamine. Its antinociceptive activity is mediated by AMPA receptors and involves glutamatergic mechanisms. (2R,6R)-HNK has similar short-term efficacy to gabapentin in treating neuropathic pain and outperforms gabapentin after 24 hours of administration.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Huilin Liu, Justas Lauzadis, Kavindu Gunaratna, Erin Sipple, Martin Kaczocha, Michelino Puopolo
Summary: Spinal cord injury-induced neuropathic pain is difficult to treat, but inhibiting T-type calcium channels may reduce spontaneous ongoing pain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Martin-Escura, Alicia Medina-Peris, Luke A. Spear, Roberto de la Torre Martinez, Luis A. Olivos-Ore, Maria Victoria Barahona, Sara Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Gregorio Fernandez-Ballester, Asia Fernandez-Carvajal, Antonio R. Artalejo, Antonio Ferrer-Montiel, Rosario Gonzalez-Muniz
Summary: TRPM8 is a key cation channel in pain regulation, with the effectiveness of modulators varying in different animal pain models. RGM8-51, a TRPM8 antagonist, shows promising antinociceptive activity in various pain models, making it a potential pharmacological tool for studying TRPM8-related diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Michele Pellegrino, Elena Ricci, Rosangela Ceraldi, Alessandra Nigro, Daniela Bonofiglio, Marilena Lanzino, Catia Morelli
Summary: This review highlights the anti-tumor activity of several antiepileptic drugs in breast, prostate, and other cancers. It focuses on their ability to block ion channels and inhibit histone deacetylases, which are well-established tumor markers and molecular targets. The repurposing of already approved drugs as adjuvants in cancer treatment is advantageous due to reduced toxicity and faster clinical approval. The review also discusses the attempt to administer antiepileptic drugs through drug delivery systems to improve their effectiveness and reduce toxicity.
Review
Anesthesiology
Alison Holten Pind, Christina Cleveland Laursen, Cheme Andersen, Mathias Maagaard, Ole Mathiesen
Summary: This systematic review aims to assess the effects of ketamine in perioperative pain treatment for patients undergoing spinal surgery. By analyzing randomized clinical trials, the study seeks to inform best practices and advance research in this area.
ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tariq Iqbal, Rashada Farooqi, M. Shahid Mehmood, Zartasha Yousaf Bhatti, Fariha Liaquat
Summary: The study demonstrated that preoperative use of Gabapentin can reduce morphine consumption in patients undergoing major laparotomies, as shown in a randomized controlled trial.
PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tiago H. Zaninelli, Sandra S. Mizokami, Mariana M. Bertozzi, Telma Saraiva-Santos, Felipe A. Pinho-Ribeiro, Gabriele Inacio de Oliveira, Renata Streck, Eduardo J. A. Araujo, Nilton S. Arakawa, Sergio M. Borghi, Rubia Casagrande, Waldiceu A. Verri
Summary: In this study, it was found that kaurenoic acid (KA), extracted from Sphagneticola trilobata, has analgesic properties and can be used for the treatment of neuropathic pain. KA inhibits neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) by activating the NO/cGMP/PKG/ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway. KA also reduces activation of sensory neurons and increases the levels of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. These findings suggest that KA inhibits CCI neuropathic pain by activating the nNOS-NO pathway to silence nociceptive signaling.