Effect of rosmarinic acid on neuropathic pain and possible mechanisms

More effective and safer new drugs are on demand in the treatment of neuropathic pain due to the existing problems with currently used drugs. In this thesis, it was aimed to investigate the possible antiallodynic effect of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg rosmarinic acid, a natural antioxidant which is shown to be safe in a wide dose range, on the chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain model using dynamic plantar test, and the contribution of adrenergic and opioidergic mechanisms in its activity. Rosmarinic acid showed antiallodynic effect independently of locomotor activity and the observed effect was considered advantageous due to similar level and duration to that of commonly prescribed neuropathic pain drug, pregabalin. It was determined that the observed antiallodynic activity is mediated by opioid and adrenergic receptor stimulation and that α2-adrenergic receptor stimulation is the primary event contributing to the antiallodynic effect. The data obtained from this thesis demonstates the potential use of rosmarinic acid in neuropathic pain and presents preclinical data that will contribute to new treatment approaches.