Effects of nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin on HIV-gp120-associated neuropathic pain induced by the P2X3 receptor in dorsal root ganglia.

In this study, we sought to explore the effects of nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin (nano curcumin) on HIV-gp120-induced neuropathic pain mediated by the P2X3 receptor in DRG neurons. The results showed that mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in rats treated with gp120 were increased compared to those in the control group. The expression levels of P2X3 mRNA and protein in rats treated with gp120 were higher than those in the control group. Nano curcumin treatment decreased mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia and upregulated the expression levels of P2X3 mRNA and protein in rats treated with gp120. Nano curcumin treatment also reduced the ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels in gp120-treated rat DRG. In addition, P2X3 agonist α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-meATP)-induced currents in DRG neurons cultured with gp120 significantly decreased after co-treatment with nano curcumin. Therefore, nano curcumin treatment may inhibit P2X3 activation, decrease the sensitizing DRG primary afferents and relieve mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia in gp120-treated rats.
PMID: 28962965 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Brain Research Bulletin - September 26, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Zhao S, Yang J, Han X, Gong Y, Rao S, Wu B, Yi Z, Zou L, Jia T, Li L, Yuan H, Shi L, Zhang C, Gao Y, Li G, Liu S, Xu H, Liu H, Liang S Tags: Brain Res Bull Source Type: research