Apigenin Alleviates Allodynia and Hyperalgesia in a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy via Regulating Microglia Activation and Polarization

Abstract

Background: Apigenin has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. This study aimed to investigate the protective role of Apigenin on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: CIPN mouse model was established using Paclitaxel treatment. Hot plate and tail prick latency tests were performed to examine the allodynia and hyperalgesia behaviors. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Apigenin on CIPN were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay, Western blot, and qRT-PCR. Nuclear recruitment of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) was analyzed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of the protective effects of Apigenin. Results: Apigenin significantly alleviated CIPN-induced nociceptive behaviors of CIPN mice. It also decreased the TNF-α and IL-1β levels, suppressed oxidative stress and inflammation in the surgical spinal cord tissues. Mechanistically, Apigenin altered the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory phenotypes ratio of microglia through promoting the nuclear recruitment of NRF2 and activating the NRF2/Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) signaling pathway. Conclusions: In summary, Apigenin relieves CIPN by regulating microglia activation and polarization, which provides a potential therapeutic strategy for CIPN treatment.

Keywords

• apigenin
• cipn
• microglia
• inflammation
• nrf2