Superoxide Dismutase-Loaded Porous Polymersomes as Highly Efficient Antioxidants for Treating Neuropathic Pain

A highly efficient antioxidant is developed by encapsulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) within the aqueous interior of porous polymersomes. The porous polymersomes provide a permeable membrane that allows free superoxide radicals to pass into the aqueous interior and interact with the encapsulated antioxidant enzyme SOD. In vivo studies in the rat demonstrate that administration of SOD-encapsulated porous polymersomes can prevent neuropathic pain after nerve root compression more effectively than treatment with free antioxidant enzyme alone.