Local preventive effects of shakuyakukanzoto and paeoniflorin external gel on paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathic pain in mice

Abstract

AbstractAimChemotherapy for cancer patients induces peripheral neuropathic pain as a refractory side effect. We reported that the prophylactic repeated oral administration of a traditional herbal medicine, shakuyakukanzoto (SKT), peripherally inhibited paclitaxel‐induced mechanical allodynia in mice. In the present study, we therefore developed external gel forms of SKT and the major constituent paeoniflorin (PF), and evaluated their effects on paclitaxel‐induced mechanical allodynia in mice.MethodsA single intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel was given to mice. SKT or PF external gel (SKT‐Gel or PF‐Gel) was topically applied to the right planar surface twice daily for 13 days. Mechanical allodynia was evaluated by the von Frey filament test.ResultsThe prophylactic repeated topical application of SKT‐Gel or PF‐Gel on the right planar surface inhibited the exacerbation of paclitaxel‐induced mechanical allodynia. However, the prophylactic repeated topical application of external base gel (BS‐Gel) on the left planar surface in the same mice treated with paclitaxel did not affect the allodynia.ConclusionProphylactic repeated topical applications of SKT‐Gel and PF‐Gel locally inhibited the exacerbation of paclitaxel‐induced mechanical allodynia. These gels were useful for the control of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathic pain.