Abstract
Purpose : To investigate the effect of β-elemene on bone cancer-related pain (BCRP) and its underlying mechanism in a rat model. Methods : A rat model of BCRP was established by injection of Walker 256 cells into the medullary cavity in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of β-elemene on pain-related behaviours were assessed by paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were used to analyse the transcription and translation levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (NR2B), respectively. Results : This study found that PWMT and PWTL were significantly decreased in rats as evidence of successful establishment of a rat model of BCRP. Behavioral test showed that β-elemene treatment could attenuate pain-related behaviours. This analgesic effect began 1 h after drug injection, reached the highest value at 2 h, declined at 4 h, and disappeared by 24 h. qRT-PCR and western blotting indicated that intrathecal administration of β-elemene down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NR2B. Conclusion : The results show that β-elemene alleviates behaviours related to pain in a rat model of BCRP probably by modulating NR2B, thus indicating a new potential treatment method for cancerrelated pain. Keywords : β-Elemene, Bone cancer, Pain relief, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (NR2B), Sensitisation
Highlights
Bone cancer-related pain (BCRP) is one of the common type of pain in malignant tumour patients [1]
The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of β-elemene on pain-related behaviours and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (NR2B) expression in a rat model of BCRP, and a new potential therapy for BCRP were investigated
From day 5 to 14, paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) were increased in the normal control group and showed no significant differences when compared with values on day 0
Summary
Bone cancer-related pain (BCRP) is one of the common type of pain in malignant tumour patients [1]. Cancers with strong predilection to metastasize to bone, such as breast and prostate carcinoma, are the main causes of malignant bone disease [2,3]. The pain caused by bone cancer significantly decreases the quality of life of patients. Despite decades of basic and clinical research on BCRP, the exact molecular mechanisms and effective therapies for BCRP are still challenging problems [4]. Current treatments for BCRP are not sufficiently effective or can cause significant adverse effects [5]. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of β-elemene on pain-related behaviours and NR2B expression in a rat model of BCRP, and a new potential therapy for BCRP were investigated
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