Anti Hyperalgesic Activities of Icariin in Mouse Model of Post-Operative Pain

Abstract

Pain after surgery is extremely debilitating and may cause healing to be delayed. If not managed properly, postoperative pain can have a substantial impact on patients' recovery and ultimately lead to a variety of complications such as delayed healing, insomnia, poor quality of life, depression, or even the progression of chronic sustained postoperative pain. Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1, purinergic (P2Y) receptors, and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling are all pivotal factors in the initiation and progression of postoperative pain. Icariin (ICA), a prenylated flavonoid derived from the plant Herba Epimedii, has antihyperalgesic activities. The present investigation was designed to explore Icariin's antihyperalgesic activities, moreover the underlying molecular mechanism of incisional pain. A mouse model of incisional pain was designed to explore possible candidates for Postoperative pain treatment. Tramadol (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally) as positive control, and Icariin (5, 25, 50 mg/kg intraperitonially) were administered daily for up to three days after surgery. Icariin considerably reduced incision-induced pain hypersensitivity, including mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, paw edoema, and muscular activity, according to the findings. It reversed the histopathological alterations caused by incisions in the paw. It attenuated incision-induced alterations in the biochemical composition of the mouse paw, as revealed by FTIR. TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1) and P2Y nociceptors were significantly downregulated, as well as MAPK signalling pathways. It suppressed production of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species as well as reversed genotoxicity significantly.