Background and Objective: Neuropathic pain remains a clinical challenge with limited effective treatments. Previous studies have found that magnolol (Mag), an ingredient existing in some herbs, showed neuroprotective effect. However, it remains unclear whether Mag can alleviate neuropathic pain.
Methods: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) is used as the neuropathic pain model. Mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: Sham, CCI, CCI + 5, 10, 30 mg/kg Mag groups. Thermal and mechanical paw withdrawal threshold were performed at baseline and on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th days post-surgery. Lumbar spinal cord and blood samples were collected on the 14th day. Blood lipid profile, kidney and liver functions, as well as the activation of microglia were evaluated, along with the related signal pathway examined using multiple methods including immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot.
Results: Mag alleviated thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in CCI mice. CCI activated microglia and upregulated the expression of P2Y12, while Mag inhibited microglial activation, and downregulated the expression of P2Y12. Mag also blocked the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and other pain-related cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that Mag has antinociceptive effect on neuropathic pain, probably mediated through P2Y12 receptors and p38 MAPK mediated pathways. With its relatively safe profile, Mag may be a potential therapeutic agent for neuropathic pain.
Keywords: magnolol, neuropathic pain, P2Y12, CCI, MAPK, cytokines