Topical treatment with Tong-Luo-San-Jie gel alleviates bone cancer pain in rats

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance The herbal analgesic gel Tong-Luo-San-Jie (TLSJ) and its modifications are used in traditional Chinese medicine to manage cancer pain. However, its mechanisms are still unknown. Aim of the study To investigate the effects and mechanisms of TLSJ gel on bone cancer pain in a rat model. Materials and Methods A bone cancer pain rat model was established by inoculating Walker 256 rat carcinoma cells directly into the right tibial medullary cavity of Sprague-Dawley rats (150–170 g); Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) tibial inoculation was used as control. Cancer-bearing rats were treated twice a day with external TLSJ gel (0.5 g/cm2/day) or inert gel control for 21 days (n=10/group). Behavioral tests such as mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were carried out. Osteoclastic activities were determined and carboxyterminal pyridinoline cross-linked type I collagen telopeptides (ICTP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) concentrations were detected with ELISA after treatment. Adverse effects were monitored, and biochemical and histological tests were performed in naïve rats treated with local TLSJ gel for six weeks. Results TLSJ treatment significantly restored bone cancer-induced decrease of PWL and mechanical threshold compared to inert gel. It also decreased the level of blood serum ICTP and BAP and inhibited osteoclast activities. No adverse effects or abnormal biochemical and histological changes were detected after TLSJ treatment. Conclusion The present study shows that TLSJ significantly inhibits bone cancer-induced thermal and mechanical sensitization. It suggests that the gel may be useful in managing cancer pain and that it may act by inhibiting osteoclastic activity.

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Traditional Uses of Plants from the Genus Trachelospermum L.

“…TLSJ treatment significantly restored bone cancer-induced decrease of paw withdrawal latency and mechanical threshold compared to inert gel. Meanwhile, it decreased the level of carboxyterminal pyridinoline cross-linked type I collagen telopeptides, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and inhibited osteoclast activities in blood serum [55]. Furthermore, TLSJ was deemed valid in alleviating bone cancer-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia by downregulating transient receptor potential channel expression in lumbar dorsal root ganglia and lumbar spinal cord interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in spinal astrocytes [56].…”

Transient Receptor Potential Channel and Interleukin-17A Involvement in LTTL Gel Inhibition of Bone Cancer Pain in a Rat Model

“…18 The active ingredients were extracted and the LTTL gel was prepared as previously described. 10 The chemical profile of the formulated gel was established by ultraperformance liquid chromatography analysis as previously reported. 10 …”

Study of the analgesic activities, chronic toxicity and addictive potential of Jia-Yuan-Qing pill in rats

“…After 6-7 days, the cells in the ascitic fluid were collected, and resuspended at a concentration of 3.5x10 5 cells/6 µl in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The bone cancer pain model was established according to the method previously described (9). In brief, following anesthetization with pentobarbital (50 mg/kg), under aseptic conditions, right lateral superficial incisions were made in the skin covering the patella of rats.…”

“…Confirmed by clinical trials and experimental studies, certain TCMs possess remarkable efficacies in pain treatment, including Tou-Feng-Yu pill (8) and Tong-Luo-San-Jie gel (9). Moreover, surveys have revealed that TCMs are used as important auxiliary therapeutics among 41-62% of cancer patients (9,10).…”

“…Confirmed by clinical trials and experimental studies, certain TCMs possess remarkable efficacies in pain treatment, including Tou-Feng-Yu pill (8) and Tong-Luo-San-Jie gel (9). Moreover, surveys have revealed that TCMs are used as important auxiliary therapeutics among 41-62% of cancer patients (9,10). Following traditional Chinese prescriptions, Porcellio laevis Latreille, Corydalis Rhizoma and Radix Cynanchi Paniculati have been combined at a ratio of 9:7:7 to provide a novel formulation named Jia-Yuan-Qing pill (JYQP).…”