Evodiamine attenuates oxidative stress and ferroptosis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling to improve bortezomib‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity

Abstract Background Bortezomib (BTZ) is a commonly used antitumor drug, but its peripheral neuropathy side effect poses a limitation on its dosage. Evodiamine (EVO) exhibits various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer effects. The purpose of this investigation is to confirm the impact of EVO on BTZ‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity. Methods GeneCards and HERB were applied to analyze the targets of peripheral neurotoxicity and EVO. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment analysis of the hub genes were identified by DAVID. Rat dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGs) and rat RSC96 Schwann cells (SCs) were treated with BTZ to simulate peripheral neurotoxicity. BTZ‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity was assessed by detecting cell viability, proliferation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in DRGs and SCs. The mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling was scrutinized by Western blot assay. Results The Venn diagram for the overlapping targets of EVO and peripheral neurotoxicity showed that EVO might regulate peripheral neurotoxicity by influencing cell oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and MAPK signaling pathway. EVO attenuated BTZ‐induced toxicity in DRGs and SCs. EVO attenuated BTZ‐induced oxidative stress damage in DRGs and SCs by reducing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels and enhancing glutathione level. EVO attenuated BTZ‐induced ferroptosis in DRGs and SCs. EVO inhibited BTZ‐induced activation of the MAPK signaling in DRGs and SCs. Activation of the MAPK signaling reversed the neuroprotective effect of EVO on BTZ‐induced oxidative stress injury and ferroptosis. Conclusion EVO attenuated oxidative stress and ferroptosis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling to improve BTZ‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity.