Examination of the effects of vitexin and vitexin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on neuropathic pain and possible mechanisms of action

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the possible antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of pure vitexin and vitexin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) on neuropathic pain and the pathways mediating these effects. Chronic constriction nerve injury was induced in female rats, and the effects of vitexin at the doses of 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg were evaluated. Ketanserin, ondansetron, WAY-100635, yohimbine and bicuculin, which are antagonists of receptors on pain pathways. were used to examine the mechanisms of the effects of vitexin. Pure vitexin exhibited antiallodynic activity at all administered doses, whereas antihyperalgesic activity was not observed at 5 mg/kg vitexin dose. SLN formulation was prepared with 5 mg/kg vitexin, the lowest dose. Vitexin-loaded formulation significantly increased antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects. Ondansetron, WAY-100635, yohimbine, and bicuculine antagonized the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of vitexin. So, it was concluded that serotonin (5-hydroxtryptamine, 5-HT) receptor subtypes 5-HT3 and 5-HT1A, alpha-2 adrenergic, and gamma-Aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptors are involved in the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic activity of vitexin. In conclusion, vitexin and vitexin-loaded formulation have the potential for clinical use in neuropathic pain management, and different pain pathways contributed to this effect. And also, it is thought that vitexin-loaded SLN formulation is more effective than pure vitexin, which will provide an advantage in treatment.