Nanoencapsulated α-terpineol attenuates neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy through calcium channel modulation

Although chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is one of the main medical complaints of cancer patients, there are currently no specific drugs for the effective treatment. In this respect, alpha-terpineol (TP) seems to be a potential candidate for this purpose, since it has several pharmacological properties that can be improved by nanosytems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and investigate an antinociceptive action of TP in nanocapsules (TP-LNC) on a peripheral neuropathy induced by paclitaxel (PTX) in mice. Nanocapsules were obtained through the interfacial deposition of preformed polymer method and physicochemically characterized. The effect of TP and TP-LNC was assessed using the hyperalgesia test in mice with neuropathy induced by PTX (32 mg/kg, i.p.). Its effect on calcium channels was evaluated by patch-clamp and molecular docking. TP-LNC presented satisfactory stability and encapsulation efficiency of 64.5%; it also prolonged the antihyperalgesic effect when cooperated with free TP. Moreover, it was found that TP presented molecular interactions with different channels for calcium, being able to reduce calcium currents. These findings bring new evidence about the analgesic action of TP and its modulating action of calcium channels and reiterate the benefits of the encapsulation of monoterpenes in nanosystems.

Automated summary

Alpha-terpineol nanocapsules (TP-LNC) show potential as a candidate drug for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The study finds that TP-LNC has stability and encapsulation efficiency, and can prolong the antihyperalgesic effect when combined with free TP. Furthermore, TP has molecular interactions with different calcium channels, reducing calcium currents.