Antinociceptive effects of (1→3),(1→6)-linked β-glucan isolated from Pleurotus pulmonarius in models of acute and neuropathic pain in mice: evidence for a role for glutamatergic receptors and cytokine pathways.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

The present study evaluated the antinociceptive effect of (1→3),(1→6)-linked β-glucan (GL) isolated from Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel. in mice and its possible mechanism of action. Intraperitoneal administration of GL inhibited glutamate-induced licking with an ID(50) of 0.34 mg/kg and inhibition of 96% ± 3%. The treatment of animals with GL (1 mg/kg i.p.) inhibited nociception induced by intrathecal injection of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, kainate and interleukin -1β in 67% ± 13%, 89% ± 11%, 74% ± 9%, and 75% ± 7%, respectively, but not the nociceptive response induced by (±)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, substance P, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Moreover, GL (30 mg/kg i.p.) also reduced mechanical allodynia caused by partial sciatic nerve ligation for 2 hours, with inhibition of 47% ± 10% observed 0.5 hours after treatment. When given chronically (twice a day) over 7 days, GL reversed the mechanical allodynia caused by partial sciatic nerve ligation (inhibition of 45% ± 13% to 60% ± 8%). Interestingly, GL did not affect the locomotor activity of mice in an open field test with doses that produce antinociceptive effects. Our findings show that GL inhibits acute and neuropathic pain in mice through mechanisms that involve the inhibition of ionotropic glutamate receptors and the interleukin -1β pathway.

PERSPECTIVE:

This article presents the antinociceptive activity of GL in acute and neuropathic pain with participation of ionotropic glutamate receptors and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β). After further experiments, this compound may represent a new pharmacological agent for the treatment of clinical pain.

• Authors: Cristiane Hatsuko Baggio, Cristina Setim Freitas, Daniel Fernandes Martins, Leidiane Mazzardo, Fhernanda Ribeiro Smiderle, Guilherme Lanzi Sassaki, Marcello Iacomini, Maria Consuelo Andrade Marques, Adair Roberto Soares Santos
• Journal: The journal of pain (J Pain) Vol. 11 Issue 10 Pg. 965-71 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1528-8447 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20418177 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Analgesics
• Cytokines
• Glucans
• Interleukin-1beta
• Receptors, Glutamate
• epiglucan

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Analgesics (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Cytokines (physiology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Glucans (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Interleukin-1beta (physiology)
• Male
• Mice
• Neuralgia (drug therapy, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Pleurotus (chemistry)
• Receptors, Glutamate (physiology)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects, physiology)