Agmatine as a Novel Treatment Option for Neuropathies: Experimental Evidences

Abstract

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, a subclass of glutamate receptors or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, prevents neuronal plasticity. However, neural plasticity plays a major role in the pain caused by inflammation and neuropathy, providing clinical opportunities for the use of NOS inhibitors and NMDAR antagonists in the treatment of chronic pain. The neuromodulator agmatine has both NOS inhibitory and NMDAR antagonistic activity, and it controls a range of neurotransmitters and signaling pathways in the brain and spinal cord. The effects of agmatine on pain modulation are described and explored in this article, along with a potential mechanism of action for these effects. We specifically offer evidence to support further clinical and pre-clinical trials looking into agmatine as a novel therapeutic agent for neuropathic pain.