Analgesic effect and related amino acids regulation of ginsenoside Rg3 in mouse pain models

Abstract

Aims: The present study aims to evaluate the analgesic effect of ginsenoside Rg3 in different mouse pain models.

Main methods: Formalin-, carrageenan- and S180 tumor cells induced mouse pain models were built in the study. The licking and biting time and PEG2 contents in the inflammatory sites were measured. The excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in the brains were determined by pre-column derivation FLD-HPLC method.

Key finding: We have found that ginsenoside Rg3 treated the pain phases and decreased the PGE2 in formalin and carrageenan induced models, respectively. It significantly increased the contents of EAAs (Asp and Glu) in the brains of S180 tumor inducing pain mice, meanwhile, the IAAs (Gly, Tau and GABA) decreased.

Significance: Our results revealed that ginsenoside Rg3 acted central and peripheral analgesic effect and regulated the inflammatory factors and pain-related amino acids. It could re-balance the abnormal EAAs/IAAs value when the pain occurred. The analgesic mechanism and the clinical application of ginsenoside Rg3 need be evaluated furtherly.

Keywords: Analgesic effect; Excitatory and inhibitory amino acids; Ginsenoside Rg3; Mouse pain models; Peripheral and central antinociception.