VR1 receptor modulators as potential drugs for neuropathic pain

The involvement of VR(1) in the endogenous pain signalling has converted this receptor into a promising therapeutic target for the development of a new family of potent analgesics devoid of the shortcomings of other analgesics commonly used. The desensitisation induced after VR(1) activation points to the utility of VR(1) agonists for the treatment of various nociceptive disorders including mitigation of neuropathic pain, inhibition of neurogenic inflammation and suppression of urinary bladder hyperreflexia, whereas VR(1) antagonists have been described as valuable agents for the treatment of inflammatory hyperalgesia and pain. Structure of the main classes of VR(1) ligands developed to date, their molecular mechanisms of action and their promising utility for the management of diverse nociceptive alterations, specially neuropathic pain, are discussed in this review.