Papers of the Week

Paclitaxel is a widely used cancer chemotherapeutic agent for many solid tumors; but peripheral neuropathy is a major limitation for its clinical use. Studies have demonstrated the usefulness of flavone derivatives in chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. The present study evaluates the anti-neuropathic effect of 3′, 4′-dihydroxyflavone on paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and the underlying mechanisms. Paclitaxel was administered to mice in a single dose of 10 mg/kg, i.p.The neuropathic behavioural parameters such as mechanical allodynia, cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed 24 h later. The test compound 3′, 4′-dihydroxyflavone (50,100 or 200 mg/kg,s.c) was administered 30 min prior to the assessment of behavioral parameters. The possible mechanisms involving K channels, adenosine and GABA receptors were explored by employing suitable interacting drugs. Molecular docking studies to predict the binding interactions of 3′, 4′-dihydroxyflavone at the above targets were also carried out. The test compound 3′, 4′-dihydroxyflavoneexhibited a significant reduction in paw withdrawal response score in both mechanical and cold allodynia and also increased the tail flick response time in thermal hyperalgesia due to paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. The anti-neuropathic effect of 3′, 4′-dihydroxyflavonewas significantly reversed by pre-treatment with glibenclamide, caffeine or bicuculline revealing the involvement of K channels, adenosine and GABA receptors respectively. Furthermore, the molecular docking studies indicated a favourable binding affinity and good H-bond interaction of 3′, 4′-dihydroxyflavone at these targets. The findings of the present study suggests that, 3′, 4′-dihydroxyflavone has anti-neuropathic effect against paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy through mechanisms that involve K channels, adenosine (A) and GABA (α subunit) receptors.