Rutaecarpine Protects from Neuropathic Pain in a Rat Model of Chronic Compression Injury

Chronic compression injury elevates oxidative stress and inflammation leading to neuropathic pain that is alleviated by rutaecarpine in a dose-dependent manner. To understand the mechanism(s) underlying rutaecarpine effects on this process, changes in the expressions of the proteins and messenger ribonucleic acids for tumor necrosis factor-α, interlukin-6, and interleukin-1β were assessed. Also, the pathology of the sciatic nerve tissue was examined histologically. Furthermore, the expression of the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione proteins were evaluated as markers of oxidative stress. Studies aimed at the understanding the mechanisms underlying actions of rutaecarpine suggested it to exert a protective effect on neuropathic pain in a chronic compression injury rat via activating nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Heme oxygenase-1 and inhibiting 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 gene pathways.