• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-44
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• 2015

Objectives This study was carried out to find the effects of Gami-cheongyulsaseub-tang (hereinafter referred to GCST) on the inhibition of zymosan-induced pain in rats and collagen II-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mouse. Methods As an acute inflammatory pain model, peripheral inflammation was induced by intraplantar injection of zymosan into the right hind paw in rats and then the hyperalgesia and pain regulating factors in spinal cord were analyzed. As a chronic inflammation model, the mixture of collagen II and complete Freund's adjuvant was treated into mice to establish rheumatoid arthritis and then body weight, thickness of hind paw, pathological change of spleen, immunological rheumatoid factor (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgM and anti-collagen II), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and bone injury were analyzed. Results In the acute inflammatory pain model, GCST significantly inhibited the thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and the pain regulating factors, including Fos, CD11b, PKA and PKC, in the spinal cord with a dose-dependent manner. In the chronic rheumatoid arthritis model, GCST administration decreased arthritic index and paw edema as compared with CIA control group. In particular, GCST reduced significantly the serum levels of total IgG2a, IgG2b, IgM, and specific anti-collagen II, but not total IgG1. GCST also resulted in the attenuation of bone injury and spleen enlargement/adhesion in CIA mice. Moreover, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in CIA mice was significantly reduced by GCST in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Comparison of the results in this study showed that GCST had anti-nociceptive and immunomodulatory effects. These data imply that GCST can be used as an effective drug for not only rheumatoid arthritic pain but also other auto-immune diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.326-334
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• 2020

Background: In this study, we sought to evaluate whether systemic propentofylline (PPF) has antiallodynic effects in a rat model of postoperative pain, and to assess the mechanism involved. Methods: After plantar incision, rats were intraperitoneally injected with various doses of PPF to evaluate its antiallodynic effect. To investigate the involved mechanism, rats were intraperitoneally injected with yohimbine, dexmedetomidine, prazosin, naloxone, atropine or mecamylamine, following the incision of the rat hind paws, and then PPF was administered intraperitoneally. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) was evaluated using von Frey filaments at various time points and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were measured to determine the inflammatory response level. Results: MWT was significantly increased after intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg of PPF when compared with the control group. Injection of PPF and yohimbine, atropine or mecamylamine showed significant decreases in the MWT, while injection of PPF and dexmedetomidine showed a significant increase. Systemic administration of PPF inhibited the post-incisional increase in serum level of TNF-α and IL-1β. Conclusions: Systemic administration of PPF following surgery presented antiallodynic effects in a rat model of postoperative pain. The antiallodynic effects against mechanical allodynia could be mediated by α-adrenergic and cholinergic receptors.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2020

Background: This study examined the effects of gabexate mesilate on spinal nerve ligation (SNL)-induced neuropathic pain. To confirm the involvement of gabexate mesilate on neuroinflammation, we focused on the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and consequent the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study. After randomization into three groups: the sham-operation group, vehicle-treated group (administered normal saline as a control), and the gabexate group (administered gabexate mesilate 20 mg/kg), SNL was performed. At the 3rd day, mechanical allodynia was confirmed using von Frey filaments, and drugs were administered intraperitoneally daily according to the group. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was examined on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day. The expressions of p65 subunit of NF-κB, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and iNOS were evaluated on the 7th and 14th day following SNL. Results: The PWT was significantly higher in the gabexate group compared with the vehicle-treated group (P < 0.05). The expressions of p65, proinflammatory cytokines, and iNOS significantly decreased in the gabexate group compared with the vehicle-treated group (P < 0.05) on the 7th day. On the 14th day, the expressions of p65 and iNOS showed lower levels, but those of the proinflammatory cytokines showed no significant differences. Conclusions: Gabexate mesilate increased PWT after SNL and attenuate the progress of mechanical allodynia. These results seem to be involved with the antiinflammatory effect of gabexate mesilate via inhibition of NF-κB, proinflammatory cytokines, and nitric oxide.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2021

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of radicular pain, but the mechanism is not clear. In this study, we investigated the engagement of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in radicular pain and its possible mechanisms. Methods: An LDH model was induced by autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) implantation, which was obtained from coccygeal vertebra, then relocated in the lumbar 4/5 spinal nerve roots of rats. Mechanical and thermal pain behaviors were assessed by using von Frey filaments and hotplate test respectively. The protein level of TLR4 and phosphorylated-p65 (p-p65) was evaluated by western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Spinal microglia activation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining of specific relevant markers. The expression of proand anti-inflammatory cytokines in the spinal dorsal horn was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Spinal expression of TLR4 and p-NF-κB (p-p65) was significantly increased after NP implantation, lasting up to 14 days. TLR4 was mainly expressed in spinal microglia, but not astrocytes or neurons. TLR4 antagonist TAK242 decreased spinal expression of p-p65. TAK242 or NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid alleviated mechanical and thermal pain behaviors, inhibited spinal microglia activation, moderated spinal inflammatory response manifested by decreasing interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α expression and increasing IL-10 expression in the spinal dorsal horn. Conclusions: The study revealed that TLR4/NF-κB pathway participated in radicular pain by encouraging spinal microglia activation and inflammatory response.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2022

Background: Neurokinin-1 (NK1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) play a vital role in pain pathogenesis, and these proteins' antagonists have attracted attention as promising pharmaceutical candidates. The authors investigated the anti-nociceptive effect of co-administration of the CGRP antagonist and an NK1 antagonist on pain models compared to conventional single regimens. Methods: C57Bl/6J mice underwent sciatic nerve ligation for the neuropathic pain model and were injected with 4% formalin into the hind paw for the inflammatory pain model. Each model was divided into four groups: vehicle, NK1 antagonist, CGRP antagonist, and combination treatment groups. The NK1 antagonist aprepitant (BIBN4096, 1 mg/kg) or the CGRP antagonist olcegepant (MK-0869, 10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. Mechanical allodynia, thermal hypersensitivity, and anxiety-related behaviors were assessed using the von Frey, hot plate, and elevated plus-maze tests. The flinching and licking responses were also evaluated after formalin injection. Results: Co-administration of aprepitant and olcegepant more significantly alleviated pain behaviors than administration of single agents or vehicle, increasing the mechanical threshold and improving the response latency. Anxiety-related behaviors were also markedly improved after dual treatment compared with either naive mice or the neuropathic pain model in the dual treatment group. Flinching frequency and licking response after formalin injection decreased significantly in the dual treatment group. Isobolographic analysis showed a meaningful additive effect between the two compounds. Conclusions: A combination pharmacological therapy comprised of multiple neuropeptide antagonists could be a more effective therapeutic strategy for alleviating neuropathic or inflammatory pain.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.8-14
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• 2004

Objective : Achyranthes japonica Nakai (AJ) has been classified as a herb that activates blood flow and clears the stagnated blood. In this study, we evaluated its anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in animals to clarify the effect of AJ on pain or inflammation. Methods : ICR mice and Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with an ethanolic extract of AJ with two dosages of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) and 400 mg/kg (p.o.). Nociceptive responses of acute pain were determined by hotplate and tail-flick tests. The effects of AJ on inflammation were evaluated by flexion/extention test and mechanical hyperalgesia test in models induced by both carrageenan and Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). Results : AJ showed significant analgesic effects in both hotplate and tail-flick tests at the dose of 400 mg/kg. It also produced a significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema and CFA induced arthritis in rats at the dose of 400 mg/kg. Conclusion : We have demonstrated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of an 80% ethanolic extract of AJ in animals. This suggests the application of AJ in relief of pain or inflammatory disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2005

Whole bee venom (WBV) and its major component, melittin, have been reported to induce long-lasting spontaneous flinchings and hyperalgesia. The current study was designed to elucidate the peripheral and spinal mechanisms of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors by which intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of WBV and melittin induced nociceptive responses. Changes in mechanical threshold and flinching behaviors were measured after the injection of WBV (0.04 mg or 0.1 mg/paw) and melittin (0.02 mg or 0.05 mg/paw) into the mid-plantar area of a rat hindpaw. MK-801 and CNQX (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione disodium) were administered intrathecally (i.t. $10{\mu}g$) or i.pl.($15{\mu}g$) 15 min before or i.t. 60 min after i.pl. WBV and melittin injection. Intrathecal pre- and postadministration of MK-801 and CNQX significantly attenuated the ability of high dose WBV and melittin to reduce paw withdrawal threshold (PWT). In the rat injected with low dose, but not high dose, of WBV and melittin, i.pl. injection of MK-801 effectively suppressed the decrease of PWTs only at the later time-points, but the inhibitory effect of CNQX (i.pl.) was significant at all time-point after the injection of low dose melittin. High dose WBV- and melittin-induced spontaneous flinchings were significantly suppressed by i.t. administration of MK-801 and CNQX, and low dose WBV- and melittin-induced flinchings were significantly reduced only by intraplantarly administered CNQX, but not by MK-801. These experimental flinchings suggest that spinal, and partial peripheral mechanisms of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors are involved in the development and maintenance of WBV- and melittin-induced nociceptive responses.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.405-416
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• 2021

Background: This study investigated the effect of intrathecal Sec-O-glucosylhamaudol (SOG) on the p38/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)-related inflammatory responses, and autophagy in a spinal nerve ligation (SNL)-induced neuropathic pain model. Methods: The continuous administration of intrathecal SOG via an osmotic pump was performed on male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 50) with SNL-induced neuropathic pain. Rats were randomized into four groups after the 7th day following SNL and treated for 2 weeks as follows (each n = 10): Group S, sham-operated; Group D, 70% dimethylsulfoxide; Group SOG96, SOG at 96 ㎍/day; and Group SOG192, SOG at 192 ㎍/day. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) test was performed to assess neuropathic pain. Western blotting of the spinal cord (L5) was performed to measure changes in the expression of signaling pathway components, cytokines, and autophagy. Additional studies with naloxone challenge (n = 10) and cells were carried out to evaluate the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of SOG. Results: Continuous intrathecal SOG administration increased the PWT with p38/JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and NF-κB signaling pathway inhibition, which induced a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines with the concomitant downregulation of autophagy. Conclusions: SOG alleviates mechanical allodynia, and its mechanism is thought to be related to the regulation of p38/JNK MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, associated with autophagy during neuroinflammatory processes after SNL.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2019

Background: This study was performed in order to examine the effect of intrathecal sec-O-glucosylhamaudol (SOG), an extract from the root of the Peucedanum japonicum Thunb., on incisional pain in a rat model. Methods: The intrathecal catheter was inserted in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 55). The postoperative pain model was made and paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) were evaluated. Rats were randomly treated with a vehicle (70% dimethyl sulfoxide) and SOG ($10{\mu}g$, $30{\mu}g$, $100{\mu}g$, and $300{\mu}g$) intrathecally, and PWT was observed for four hours. Dose-responsiveness and ED50 values were calculated. Naloxone was administered 10 min prior to treatment of SOG $300{\mu}g$ in order to assess the involvement of SOG with an opioid receptor. The protein levels of the ${\delta}$-opioid receptor, ${\kappa}$-opioid receptor, and ${\mu}$-opioid receptor (MOR) were analyzed by Western blotting of the spinal cord. Results: Intrathecal SOG significantly increased PWT in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum effects were achieved at a dose of $300{\mu}g$ at 60 min after SOG administration, and the maximal possible effect was 85.35% at that time. The medial effective dose of intrathecal SOG was $191.3{\mu}g$ (95% confidence interval, 102.3-357.8). The antinociceptive effects of SOG ($300{\mu}g$) were significantly reverted until 60 min by naloxone. The protein levels of MOR were decreased by administration of SOG. Conclusions: Intrathecal SOG showed a significant antinociceptive effect on the postoperative pain model and reverted by naloxone. The expression of MOR were changed by SOG. The effects of SOG seem to involve the MOR.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng saponin has long been used as a traditional Asian medicine and is known to be effective in treating various kinds of pain. Ginsenoside Rf is one of the biologically active saponins found in ginseng. We evaluated ginsenoside Rf's antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, and its mechanism of action on adrenergic and serotonergic receptors, in an incisional pain model. Methods: Mechanical hyperalgesia was induced via plantar incision in rats followed by intraperitoneal administration of increasing doses of ginsenoside Rf (vehicle, 0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg, and 2 mg/kg). The antinociceptive effect was also compared in a Positive Control Group that received a ketorolac (30 mg/kg) injection, and the $Na{\ddot{i}}ve$ Group, which did not undergo incision. To evaluate the mechanism of action, rats were treated with prazosin (1 mg/kg), yohimbine (2 mg/kg), or ketanserin (1 mg/kg) prior to receiving ginsenoside Rf (1.5 mg/kg). The mechanical withdrawal threshold was measured using von Frey filaments at various time points before and after ginsenoside Rf administration. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect, serum interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrotizing $factor-{\alpha}$ levels were measured. Results: Ginsenoside Rf increased the mechanical withdrawal threshold significantly, with a curvilinear dose-response curve peaking at 1.5 mg/kg. $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrotizing $factor-{\alpha}$ levels significantly decreased after ginsenoside Rf treatment. Ginsenoside Rf's antinociceptive effect was reduced by yohimbine, but potentiated by prazosin and ketanserin. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal ginsenoside Rf has an antinociceptive effect peaking at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Anti-inflammatory effects were also detected.