Gelsemine relieves the neuropathic pain by down-regulating DPP4 level in rats.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Based on the previous findings on the relieving role of gelsemine in neuropathic pain, this research aims to further investigate the relevant regulatory mechanism.

METHODS:

Targets of gelsemine were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. The peripheral neuropathic pain rat model was established by ligating spinal nerves, and then gelsemine (10 μg for one day) or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) oligonucleotides (5 μg/day, for 7 days) was injected into intrathecal bolus of rats. The mechanical threshold (0, 1, 2, 4 h after the last injection) was examined to evaluate the mechanical allodynia of rats. After the mechanical threshold measurement, the rats were anesthetized with isoflurane and then sacrificed by cervical dislocation. IBA1- and DPP4-positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn of rats were determined using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays. The expressions of DPP4, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal dorsal horn of rats were measured by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS:

DPP4 was one of the targets of gelsemine. Gelsemine could elevate the down-regulated mechanical threshold, and lessen the up-regulated IBA1- and DPP4-positive cells and expressions of DPP4, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal dorsal horn of rats with neuropathic pain. DPP4 overexpression reversed the role of gelsemine in neuropathic pain.

CONCLUSION:

Gelsemine relieves neuropathic pain by down-regulating DPP4 level in rats, providing a novel drug candidate and biomarker for neuropathic pain treatment.

• Authors: Lingjun Yang, Gang Zhou, Junming Chen, Sainan Zhang
• Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett) Vol. 792 Pg. 136961 (01 01 2023) ISSN: 1872-7972 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 36370955 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical References

• gelsemine
• Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Rats
• Animals
• Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Neuralgia (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Hyperalgesia (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Spinal Cord (metabolism)