NADPH oxidase1 inhibition leads to regression of central sensitization during formalin induced acute nociception via attenuation of ERK1/2-NFκB signaling and glial activation.

Role of NADPH oxidase1 in the development of inflammatory pain has been demonstrated by gene knockout studies. Nevertheless, pharmacological inhibition of NOX1 is a requisite approach for therapeutic utility. Recently, we have reported the anti-nociceptive effect of newly identified NOX1 specific inhibitor ML171 (2-acetylphenothiazine). Inhibition of NOX1 resulted in attenuation of nociceptive sensitization during acute inflammatory pain via inhibition of ROS generation and its downstream ERK1/2 activation. However, glial activation accompanying inflammation is closely related to the initiation and maintenance of pain. Peripheral nociceptive inputs activate the primary afferents via release of various chemical mediators which are potentially capable of mediating signals from neuron to glia in DRG and subsequently in spinal cord dorsal horn. The subsequent interactions between neuron and glia contribute to pain hypersensitivity. Thus, the present study was focused to investigate the effect of ML171 on ERK1/2 signaling, glial activation, and crosstalk between neuron and glia in a mouse model of formalin induced acute nociception. Thus, the present study was focused to investigate the effect of ML171 on ERK1/2 signaling, glial activation, and crosstalk between neuron and glia in DRG and dorsal horn of the spinal cord of lumbar region (L3-L5) in a mouse model of formalin induced acute nociception. Intraperitoneal administration of ML171 decreased nociceptive behavioral responses, i.e. the flinch and lick counts, in formalin induced nociceptive mice. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis demonstrated decreased levels of nociceptive mediators like p-ERK1/2, p-NFκB p65, Iba1 and GFAP in DRG as well as in spinal cord dorsal horn; supporting anti-nociceptive potential of ML171. Further, co-localization studies showed the neuron-glia crosstalk in tissue dependent manner. ERK1/2 was found to be activated in glia and NFκB in neurons in DRG; whereas in case of spinal cord ERK1/2 was activated in neurons and NFκB in astrocytes. Decrease in nociceptive behavioral response and activation of nociceptive mediators after intraperitoneal administration of ML171 strongly advocate anti-nociceptive potential of ML171. This is the first report demonstrating modulation of ERK1/2-NFκB signaling pathway, glial activation and regulation of neuron-glia crosstalk by NADPH oxidase1 inhibition towards its anti-nociceptive action.