Prophylactic Administration of Aucubin Inhibits Paclitaxel-Induced Mechanical Allodynia via the Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Peripheral Schwann Cells

Biol Pharm Bull. 2017;40(4):473-478. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b16-00899.

Abstract

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent that causes peripheral neuropathy as its major dose-limiting side effect. However, the peripheral neuropathy is difficult to manage. A study we recently conducted showed that repetitive administration of aucubin as a prophylactic inhibits paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-allodynic activity of aucubin, which is a major component of Plantaginis Semen, was unclear. In addition to mechanical allodynia, aucubin inhibited spontaneous and mechanical stimuli-induced firing in spinal dorsal horn neurons; however, catalpol, a metabolite of aucubin, did not show these effects. Furthermore, paclitaxel induced the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, a marker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, in the sciatic nerve and a Schwann cell line (LY-PPB6 cells); however, this effect was inhibited by aucubin. These results suggest that aucubin inhibits paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia through the inhibition of ER stress in peripheral Schwann cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / toxicity
  • Cell Line
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / drug effects*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / physiology
  • Hyperalgesia / chemically induced
  • Hyperalgesia / metabolism
  • Hyperalgesia / prevention & control*
  • Iridoid Glucosides / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Paclitaxel / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Paclitaxel / toxicity*
  • Posterior Horn Cells / drug effects
  • Posterior Horn Cells / metabolism
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / methods*
  • Rats
  • Schwann Cells / drug effects*
  • Schwann Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Iridoid Glucosides
  • aucubin
  • Paclitaxel