Table 2.
Mechanisms of actions of herbal medicines against neuropathic pain in animal models
| Substance | Animal model | Mechanisms of actions | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pterodon pubescens Benth | Partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) in mice | Inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines, glutamatergic receptors as well as TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels | (83) |
| Shanzhiside methylester | Spinal nerve injury (SNI) in rat | Microglial β-endorphin expression via p38 MAPK signaling | (15) |
| Emblica officinalis | Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rat | Modulation of oxidative–nitrosative stress | (21) |
| PMI-5011 | High-fat diet-induced neuropathy in mice | Inhibition of oxidative nitrosative stress and lipoxygenase activation | (25) |
| Rubia cordifolia | Paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rat | Involvement of GABA or antioxidant mechanism | (90) |
| EGb 761 | SNL in rat | Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effect, a platelet activating factor antagonist and a protective effect against NMDA. | (66) |
| Ocimum sanctum | Vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in rat | Decrement of oxidative stress and calcium levels | (79) |
| Acorus calamus | Tibial and sural nerve transection (TST) in rat | Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective actions | (31) |
| Acorus calamus | Chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rat | Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and calcium inhibitory actions | (32) |
| Acorus calamus | Vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in rat | Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and calcium inhibitory actions | (33) |
| Salvia officinalis | Vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in mice | Anti-inflammatory effects | (95) |
| Koumine | CCI in rat | Elevated allopregnanolone levels through allosteric modulation of GABAA and by suppressing the release of microglia activation-induced inflammatory cytokines | (118) |
| Incarvillateine | Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), SNI and paclitaxel induced neuropathic pain in mice | Activation of the adenosine system | (114) |
| Curcumin | CCI in mice | Descending monoamine system (coupled with spinal β2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor) | (44) |
| Curcumin | CCI in rat | Decrement the serum level of COX-2 | (45) |
| Phyllanthus amarus | CFA, PSNL in mice | Anti-inflammatory action | (82) |
| Cannabis sativa | CCI in rat | Mediated by vanilloid receptors TRPV1. | (96) |
| Momordica charantia | TST in rat | PPAR-gamma agonistic activity, anti-inflammatory, & antioxidative effects. | (72) |
| lappaconitine | CCI in rat | Regulating the purinergic signaling system at DRG level | (107) |
| Saffron’s extracts and safranal | CCI in rat | Antioxidant effects. | (48) |
| MGM-16 | PSNL in mice | Opioid agonistic effects | (70) |
| Nigella sativa and thymoquinone | STZ-induced diabetic in rat | Antioxidant actions | (76) |
| DA-9801 | STZ induced rat/mouse diabetic, db/db mouse model | Increasing the NGF level | (111) |
| Naringin | STZ induced diabetic in rat | Antioxidant and antiapoptotic activity | (120) |
| Quercetin | STZ induced diabetic in mice | Modulation of opioidergic system | (123) |