Effects of palmatine on BDNF/TrkB-mediated trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a sudden, needle-like pain in the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve, can seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients. In chronic pain conditions including TN, increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may enhance pain transmission. This study compares the effect of palmatine administration on the expression of BDNF and its receptor TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B) in trigeminal ganglion cells of Sprague-Dawley rats in a sham versus TN model group. Within 14 days of surgery, the mechanical allodynia threshold of the TN group was significantly lower than that of the sham group, while the TN + palmatine group had a higher mechanical pain sensitivity threshold than the TN group (p < 0.05). Real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence showed that BDNF and TrkB expression in the TN group was higher than that in the sham group, while palmatine treatment could reverse these changes. Western blotting showed that palmatine treatment could reduce the elevated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in TN rats. Thus, the BDNF/TrkB pathway may be involved in the pain transmission process of TN, and palmatine treatment may reduce pain transmission by inhibiting the BDNF/TrkB pathway and suppressing ERK1/2 phosphorylation.