Neuromidin Attenuates Neuropathic Pain in the Streptozocin-Induced Diabetes Model in Rats

Diabetic neuropathy, which affects all peripheral nerves and may cause dramatic pain, is one of the most severe pathologies associated with hyperglycaemia, damage in the blood vessels, and inflammation in nerves. Anticonvulsants and antidepressants are still the most commonly used options to manage diabetic neuropathy. However, to improve clinical benefit in the treatment of diabetic neuropathies, as well as to minimize side effects, search for a new type of drugs to protect/treat neuropathic pain is still important. The aim of this study was to investigate neuromidin (ipidacrine, amiridin, NIK-247), an anticholinesterase drug of tetrahydroaminoacridine series, in the streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathic pain model in rats. Neuromidin was administered per os at daily doses 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg for ten days. The dynamics in the development of hyperalgesia (pain threshold) was measured by algesimeter for five weeks. The data obtained show that neuromidin considerably protects the development of peripheral neuropathic pain caused by STZ. The most active dose was the lowest—0.3 mg/kg. Neuromidin did not affect STZ-hyperglycemia, nor the weight gain in animal groups. Neuromidin per se at the doses 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg showed a short-term analgesic activity. The cholinergic mechanism of neuromidin may be considered as essential in attenuating of diabetic neuropathic pain; other mechanisms remain to be elucidated.