Auraptene Alleviates Paclitaxel-induced Neuropathy in Mice

Paclitaxel administration causes peripheral neuropathy. Auraptene is a natural bioactive monoterpene with anti-inflammatory and anti-neuropathic effects that is widely used. We aimed to study auraptene effects on paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. This study was comprised of two steps of evaluation of the preventive and treatment effects of auraptene in mice. In the first step, mice were randomly allocated into three groups of six animals, including the negative control (NEG CTL): animals injected with paclitaxel (PTX) together with normal saline, PTX (paclitaxel 2 mg/kg given on days 1, 3, 5, and 7), and PREVENTION: PTX + auraptene 100 mg/kg on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. In the second step, animals were allocated into six groups of six: NEG CTL (normal saline), PTX (paclitaxel 10 mg/kg given on days 1, 3, 5, and 7), PTX AUR (PTX + auraptene 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg), and a positive control (PTX-treated animals receiving imipramine 10 mg/kg). Intraperitoneal injection of PTX 2 mg/kg on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 was used in order to induce neuropathy. In both steps of the study, a hot plate test was done on day 7 in order to determine the response to heat. After the scarification of animals, the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the sciatic nerve was assessed by western blotting. In the preventive group, auraptene could reduce hyperalgesia significantly. In the treatment step, the AUR 100 mg/kg compared to NEG CTL groups had significantly increased heat latency. The expression of IL-6 protein in the sciatic nerve was remarkably decreased in both the preventive and treatment groups compared to NEG CTL. Taken together, our results confirmed that AUR could decrease paclitaxel-induced hyperalgesia in mice and IL-6 protein content in sciatic nerve samples.