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Exploring Innovative Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmacological Targets for Pain and Inflammation Relief

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A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2024) | Viewed by 6214

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sara Marchesan De Oliveira

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Guest Editor

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centre of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
Interests: analgesics; nociception; inflammatory pain; neuropathic pain; dysfunctional or nociplastic pain; pharmacological targets; signalling pathways
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pain is an issue of extreme relevance, being the main reason why people seek medical help. Adequate treatments for complete pain and inflammation relief are often lacking, and even the continuous use of some medications causes adverse effects that can increase the patient's suffering. In addition, pain and inflammatory processes impair the life quality of patients, in some cases causing distancing from family members and society, leading to the development of anxiety, depression and work capacity loss. Thus, discovering new analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs and establishing more detailed knowledge of the mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying the activation of receptors involved in painful and inflammatory processes will be essential for the development of more effective and safe analgesics and anti-inflammatories for pain and inflammation control. This Special Issue aims to highlight pharmacological targets for the development of new analgesics and anti-inflammatories, underscore the signaling pathways involved in these processes, and explore new developments in drug delivery systems that would improve the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of synthetic drugs or natural products, among other putative substances. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: analgesic effects; anti-inflammatory effects; pain and inflammation models; pharmacological targets; mechanisms of action; signaling pathways; and drug delivery systems.

Dr. Sara Marchesan De Oliveira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nociception
inflammation
analgesics
anti-inflammatories
pain and inflammation models
signaling pathways
action mechanisms

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 6101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Kinin B₂ and B₁ Receptors Activation Sensitize the TRPA1 Channel Contributing to Anastrozole-Induced Pain Symptoms

by Maria Fernanda Pessano Fialho, Evelyne Silva Brum, Gabriela Becker, Indiara Brusco and Sara Marchesan Oliveira

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 1136; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041136 - 3 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1562

Abstract

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) cause symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, and some mechanisms have been proposed to explain them. However, signaling pathways downstream from kinin B₂ (B₂R) and B₁ (B₁R) receptor activation and their possible sensitizing of the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) remain unknown. The interaction between the kinin receptor and the TRPA1 channel in male C57BL/6 mice treated with anastrozole (an AI) was evaluated. PLC/PKC and PKA inhibitors were used to evaluate the signaling pathways downstream from B₂R and B₁R activation and their effect on TRPA1 sensitization. Anastrozole caused mechanical allodynia and muscle strength loss in mice. B₂R (Bradykinin), B₁R (DABk), or TRPA1 (AITC) agonists induced overt nociceptive behavior and enhanced and prolonged the painful parameters in anastrozole-treated mice. All painful symptoms were reduced by B₂R (Icatibant), B₁R (DALBk), or TRPA1 (A967079) antagonists. We observed the interaction between B₂R, B₁R, and the TRPA1 channel in anastrozole-induced musculoskeletal pain, which was dependent on the activation of the PLC/PKC and PKA signaling pathways. TRPA1 seems to be sensitized by mechanisms dependent on the activation of PLC/PKC, and PKA due to kinin receptors stimulation in anastrozole-treated animals. Thus, regulating this signaling pathway could contribute to alleviating AIs-related pain symptoms, patients’ adherence to therapy, and disease control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Innovative Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmacological Targets for Pain and Inflammation Relief)

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Review

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30 pages, 1472 KiB

Open AccessReview

Unveiling the Pain Relief Potential: Harnessing Analgesic Peptides from Animal Venoms

by Ana Flávia Marques Pereira, Joeliton S. Cavalcante, Davi Gomes Angstmam, Cayo Almeida, Gean S. Soares, Manuela B. Pucca and Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(12), 2766; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15122766 - 13 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1165

Abstract

The concept of pain encompasses a complex interplay of sensory and emotional experiences associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Accurately describing and localizing pain, whether acute or chronic, mild or severe, poses a challenge due to its diverse manifestations. Understanding the underlying origins and mechanisms of these pain variations is crucial for effective management and pharmacological interventions. Derived from a wide spectrum of species, including snakes, arthropods, mollusks, and vertebrates, animal venoms have emerged as abundant repositories of potential biomolecules exhibiting analgesic properties across a broad spectrum of pain models. This review focuses on highlighting the most promising venom-derived toxins investigated as potential prototypes for analgesic drugs. The discussion further encompasses research prospects, challenges in advancing analgesics, and the practical application of venom-derived toxins. As the field continues its evolution, tapping into the latent potential of these natural bioactive compounds holds the key to pioneering approaches in pain management and treatment. Therefore, animal toxins present countless possibilities for treating pain caused by different diseases. The development of new analgesic drugs from toxins is one of the directions that therapy must follow, and it seems to be moving forward by recommending the composition of multimodal therapy to combat pain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Innovative Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmacological Targets for Pain and Inflammation Relief)

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28 pages, 1514 KiB

Open AccessReview

Novel Drug Targets and Emerging Pharmacotherapies in Neuropathic Pain

by Jurga Bernatoniene, Arunas Sciupokas, Dalia Marija Kopustinskiene and Kestutis Petrikonis

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(7), 1799; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15071799 - 23 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2862

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition characterized by abnormal signaling within the nervous system, resulting in persistent and often intense sensations of pain. It can arise from various causes, including traumatic nerve injury, neuropathy, and certain diseases. We present an overview of current and emerging pharmacotherapies for neuropathic pain, focusing on novel drug targets and potential therapeutic agents. Current pharmacotherapies, including tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentinoids, and serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors, are discussed, as are emerging treatments, such as ambroxol, cannabidiol, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Additionally, the article highlights the need for further research in this field to identify new targets and develop more effective and targeted therapies for neuropathic pain management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Innovative Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmacological Targets for Pain and Inflammation Relief)

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