Neuroprotective effect of ethyl pyruvate in vincristine and cisplatin induced neuropathic pain

Abstract

Aim of Study: The aim of the present work was to screen synthetic compound Ethyl Pyruvate (EP) for its potential use in chemotherapeutic drugs induced neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods: In vincristine induced neuropathy model, Vincristine sulfate (50 μg/kg i.p.) for 10 consecutive days was administered to induce neuropathy in rats with EP for 14 days. In cisplatin induced neuropathy model, cisplatin was administered at a dose of (2 mg/kg i.p.) twice a week for 5 weeks with EP for 5 weeks daily in this model. The effect of ethyl pyruvate in tail heat immersion, paw pressure and acetone drop tests were performed to assess the degree of spinal thermal sensation, mechanical hyperalgesia and cold allodynia, respectively. Vacuolar changes, necrosis and cellular infiltration of sciatic nerve were assessed histopathologically. The levels of various antioxidants were determined to assess oxidative stress. Results: In vincristine and cisplatin induced neuropathy models, co-administration of EP 100 mg/kg significantly attenuated reduction of nociceptive threshold in tail heat immersion test and threshold in paw pressure along with the increased score in the acetone drop test. EP 100 mg/kg significantly attenuated reactive changes in histopathology and increase in oxidative stress. Conclusion: The observed neuroprotective effect can be attributed to the antioxidant property of EP. Therefore, with support from the literature and data in hand it seems quite evident that EP 100 mg/kg exerted its beneficial effects in vincristine and cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathic pain.