Cardamonin attenuates hyperalgesia and allodynia in a mouse model of chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain: Possible involvement of the opioid system

Abstract

Neuropathic pain arises from the injury of nervous system. The condition is extremely difficult to be treated due to the ineffectiveness and presence of various adverse effects of the currently available drugs. In the present study, we investigated the antiallodynic and antihyperlagesic properties of cardamonin, a naturally occurring chalcone in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain mice model. Our findings showed that single and repeated dose of intra-peritoneal administration of cardamonin (3, 10, 30mg/kg) significantly inhibited (P<0.001) the chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain using the Hargreaves plantar test, Randall-Selitto analgesiometer test, dynamic plantar anesthesiometer test and the cold plate test in comparison with the positive control drug used (amitriptyline hydrochloride, 20mg/kg, i.p.). Pre-treatment with naloxone hydrochloride (1mg/kg, i.p.) and naloxone methiodide (1mg/kg, s.c) significantly reversed the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of cardamonin in dynamic plantar anesthesiometer test and Hargreaves plantar test, respectively. In conclusion, the current findings demonstrated novel antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of cardamonin through the activation of the opioidergic system both peripherally and centrally and may prove to be a potent lead compound for the development of neuropathic pain drugs in the future.

Dynamic Properties of Skeletal Muscle Contraction in Rats with Diabetes

“…On the 28th day of experiment, glucose loading test was conducted for the confirmation of diabetes presence. For the establishment of pain sensation, mechanical nociceptive test was conducted in rats (Randall-Selitto analgesiometer test) [28]. Also heat-induced rat tail-flick latency was determined as a measure for nociceptive pain [29].…”

Anxiolytic Potency of Cardamonin Mediated through Brain GABAergic System

“…Cardamonin was freshly prepared by dissolving in DMSO, tween 20 and distilled water at a ratio of 5:5:90 (v/v). Estazolam (6 mg) was suspended in 0.5% sodium CMC aqueous solution in a 100 ml constant volume [8]. All other drugs were dissolved in distilled water.…”

“…Cardamonin is known to exhibit many pharmacological activities including antiinflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-neoplastic, antiproliferative, anti-tumor, in vitro anti-HIV, vasorelaxant, hypoglycemic, anti-infectious and anti-platelet activities 6 . It is also known to possess potential beneficial effects on various neurological disorders including anti-nociceptive property 6 , neuroprotection of PC12 cells against oxidative damage 7 and ameliorative effect on hyperalgesia and allodynia in a mouse model of chronic constriction injuryinduced neuropathic pain 8 . The quest for potential health applications of cardamonin particularly in relation to neuroprotection seems to grow in the near future as shown clearly by the increasing number of ongoing research.…”

Possible Participation of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors and l-Arginine-Nitric Oxide-Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate-ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Pathway in the Antinociceptive Activity of Cardamonin in Acute Pain Animal Models

“…In vivo study of cardamonin treatment against rheumatoid arthritis presented inhibition on inflammation as well as pain through behavioural, biochemical and histological studies; plasma evaluation of the treated animals also showed promising inhibition in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels [23]. Therapeutic effect of cardamonin on chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain has been reported through a series of thermal and mechanical pain studies [24].…”