Andrographolide regulates phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and phosphorylated ERK expression in spinal cord and reduces postoperative pain in rats

• Main Authors: Sridharan, Badrinathan, Lin, Yi-Lo, Kung, Yi-Jyun, Lee, Meng-Jen
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allodynia; Andrographolide; ERK; MAP kinase; Spinal cord; Surgical pain
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.02.438

Andrographolide (Andro) is one of the medically important phytocompounds that has multiple biological properties such as anti-biotic, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-viral activities. Recently, andro has gained interest of various clinicians in management of physiological and neuropathic pain mechanisms. In the current study, we analyzed the effect of andro in downregulation of phosphorylated MAPK (p38) and ERK that help in relieving the post-operative pain in rats. Open incisional wound was made in the hind paw of Sprague-Dawley rats and were segregated as control animals (saline) and andro injected animals (0.5 mg/kg of bodyweight). Spinal cord sample was collected 4 days after surgery to study the p38 & pERK expressions by immunofluorescence. Reduction of p38 (∼50%) & pERK (∼30%) expressions was observed in the dorsal funiculus and dorsal horn region of spinal cord, respectively, obtained from animals injected with andro compared to control rats. This suggested that, post-operative pain was relieved in the andro injected animals compared to control rats injected with saline, possibly through down regulated expression of these kinases at the respective regions in spinal cord. In conclusion, andro has shown the potential to relieve the surgical pain by reduction of p38 & pERK expression which could be supportive for patients in pre- and post-operative care.