Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum elevates the pain threshold through inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B pathway in neuropathic cancer pain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum on the pain threshold and potential molecular mechanism for neuropathic cancer pain.

Methods: Forty-five male Balb/c mice were divided into control group model group and experiment group with each 15. The sciatic nerve muscle plexus of experiment and model group were given injection containing S180 sarcoma cell 2 × 10 6 mL for each mouse. Mice in the experiment group were given Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum 25 mg/kg once a day intraperitoneal injection. Moreover, mice in the control group were given physiological saline 25 mg/kg, once a day intraperitoneal injection. The mechanical withdraw threshold and thermal withdraw latency were recorded before S180 sarcoma cell injection and in the time point of day 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14. After 14 days treatment, the mice were treated to death and the sciatic nerve CX3CR1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) mRNA was tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Compared with control group, the mechanical and thermal pain threshold of experiment group was significant decreased (P < 0.05). However, compared with the model group, the mechanical, and thermal pain threshold of experiment group was significant elevated in time point of day 3, 6, 9, 12, 14 for mechanical pain threshold and day 9, 12 14 for thermal pain threshold (P < 0.05); the pain threshold for the experiment and model group was decreased in the first 9 days and then elevated gradually. Compared with control group, the CX3CR1 and NF-kB mRNA relative expression in mice sciatic nerve of experiment group was significant elevated (P < 0.05); but compared with model group, the CX3CR1 and NF-kB mRNA relative expression of experiment group was significant decreased (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum can elevates the mechanical and thermal pain threshold through inhibiting the NF-kB in neuropathic cancer pain rat.