Areca nut, the seed of Areca catechu L., is one of the most widely consumed addictive substances in the world after nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine. The major effective constituent of A. catechu, arecoline, has been reported to affect the central nervous system. Less is known if it may affect pain and its related emotional responses. In this study, we found that oral application of arecoline alleviated the inflammatory pain and its induced anxiolytic and anti-depressive-like behavior. Arecoline also increased the mechanical nociceptive threshold and alleviated depression-like behavior in naïve mice. In the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which acts as a hinge of nociception and its related anxiety and depression, by using the multi-electrode field potential recording and whole-cell patch-clamp recording, we found that the evoked postsynaptic transmission in the ACC of adult mice has been inhibited by the application of arecoline. The muscarinic receptor is the major receptor of the arecoline in the ACC. Our results suggest that arecoline alleviates pain, anxiety, and depression-like behavior in both physiological and pathological conditions, and this new mechanism may help to treat patients with chronic pain and its related anxiety and disorder in the future.

Painful stimuli elicit first-line reflexive defensive reactions and, in many cases, also evoke second-line recuperative behaviors, the latter of which reflects the sensing of tissue damage and the alleviation of suffering. The lateral parabrachial nucleus (lPBN), composed of external- (elPBN), dorsal- (dlPBN), and central/superior-subnuclei (jointly referred to as slPBN), receives sensory inputs from spinal projection neurons and plays important roles in processing affective information from external threats and body integrity disruption. However, the organizational rules of lPBN neurons that provoke diverse behaviors in response to different painful stimuli from cutaneous and deep tissues remain unclear. In this study, we used region-specific neuronal depletion or silencing approaches combined with a battery of behavioral assays to show that slPBN neurons expressing substance P receptor ( NK1R) (lPBN NK1R) are crucial for driving pain-associated self-care behaviors evoked by sustained noxious thermal and mechanical stimuli applied to skin or bone/muscle, while elPBN neurons are dispensable for driving such reactions. Notably, lPBN NK1R neurons are specifically required for forming sustained somatic pain-induced negative teaching signals and aversive memory but are not necessary for fear-learning or escape behaviors elicited by external threats. Lastly, both lPBN NK1R and elPBN neurons contribute to chemical irritant-induced nocifensive reactions. Our results reveal the functional organization of parabrachial substrates that drive distinct behavioral outcomes in response to sustained pain versus external danger under physiological conditions.
疼痛刺激往往在第一时间触发躯体的反射防御反应，并且在很多情况下，紧接着还会引起“自我抚慰疗愈”行为，后者反映了躯体对自身组织损伤的感知并寻求缓解痛苦。外侧臂旁核（lPBN）由外区（elPBN）、背区（dlPBN）和中央/上区（统称为slPBN）三个亚区组成，负责接收来自脊髓投射神经元的感觉输入，并且在处理来自躯体外部威胁和由组织受损而引起的负性情绪方面发挥了重要作用。然而，lPBN神经元是如何整合来自浅表皮肤和深层组织的不同疼痛信号，并激发多样化的行为表现仍不十分清楚。在该研究中，我们通过使用区域特异性的神经元消融或沉默手段结合一系列行为学实验，发现表达P物质受体 (NK1R) (lPBN NK1R) 的slPBN神经元对于驱动来自皮肤或骨骼/肌肉的持续性热痛和机械痛所引发的自我抚慰疗愈行为至关重要，而elPBN神经元不是驱动上述行为反应所必需。值得注意的是，lPBN NK1R 神经元对于持续性躯体痛所诱导的负性学习信号的产生，以及相关厌恶性记忆的形成是必不可少的, 而对外界危险所引起的恐惧学习或逃避反应则非必需。最后, lPBN NK1R和 elPBN神经元都介导了化学刺激物所诱导的伤害性反应。综上，我们的结果揭示了在生理条件下，持续性疼痛和外部危险刺激所引发的截然不同的行为表现是由外侧臂旁核不同亚区的神经元来驱动。.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different intensities on nociceptive discharges of wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the spinal dorsal horns (DHs) of rats, so as to explore its regulatory characteristics on nociceptive signals at the spinal level.
METHODS: A total of 25 male SD rats were used in the present study. A microelectrode array was used to record the discharge activity of WDR neurons in the lumbar spinal DHs of normal rats. After finding the WDR neuron, electrical stimulation (pulse width of 2 ms) was administered to the plantar receptive field (RF) for determining its response component of discharges according to the latency of action potential generation (Aβ ［0 to 20 ms］, Aδ ［20 to 90 ms］, C ［90 to 500 ms］ and post-discharge ［500 to 800 ms］). High-intensity electrical stimulation was continuously applied to the RF at the paw\'s plantar surface to induce DHs neuronal windup response. Subsequently, EA stimulation at different intensities (1 mA and 2 mA) was applied to the left \"Zusanli\"(ST36) at a frequency of 2 Hz/15 Hz for 10 min. The induction of WDR neuronal windup was then repeated under the same conditions. The quantity of nociceptive discharge components and the windup response of WDR neurons before and after EA stimulations at different intensities were compared.
RESULTS: Compared to pre-EA, both EA1 mA and EA2 mA significantly reduced the number of Aδ and C component discharges of WDR neurons during stimulation, as well as post-discharge (P<0.01, P<0.001). The inhibitory rate of C component by EA2 mA was significantly higher than that by EA1 mA (P<0.05). Meanwhile, both EA1 mA and EA2 mA attenuated the windup response of WDR neurons (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the effect of EA2 mA was stronger than that of EA1 mA (P<0.05). Further analysis showed that when EA1 mA and EA2 mA respectively applied to both non-receptive field (non-RF) and RF, a significant reduction in the number of Aδ component, C component and post-discharge was observed (P<0.05, P<0.01). EA2 mA at the non-RF and RF demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on the windup response of WDR neurons (P<0.01, P<0.05), but EA1 mA only at the non-RF showed a significant inhibitory effect on the windup response (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: EA can suppress nociceptive discharges of spinal DHs WDR neurons in rats. The inhibitory impact of EA is strongly correlated with the location and intensity of EA stimulation, and EA2 mA has a stronger inhibitory effect than EA1 mA.
目的: 观察不同强度电针对大鼠脊髓背角广动力（WDR）神经元伤害性电活动的作用，探讨电针在脊髓背角水平调控伤害性信号的效应特征。方法: 采用多通道在体电生理技术记录25只正常雄性SD大鼠脊髓背角WDR神经元的电活动，在神经元的足底感受野（RF）给予连续高强度电刺激诱发神经元的windup，而后于大鼠同侧“足三里”穴区进行不同强度（1 mA或2 mA）的电针（EA1 mA、EA2 mA）干预10 min，刺激频率为2 Hz /15 Hz，然后再次以相同条件诱发WDR神经元的windup。比较不同强度电针干预前后，WDR神经元伤害性放电成分的总数量及windup现象的变化。结果: EA1 mA和EA2 mA均显著减少了WDR神经元Aδ和C成分及后放电的数量（P<0.01，P<0.001），且EA2 mA对C成分的抑制率显著高于EA1 mA（P<0.05）；EA1 mA和EA2 mA干预减弱了WDR神经元的windup现象（P<0.05，P<0.01），且EA2 mA的效应要强于EA1 mA（P<0.05）。EA1 mA和EA2 mA作用于WDR神经元的非感受野（non-RF）和RF均明显减少了其Aδ成分、C成分和后放电的数量（P<0.05，P<0.01）；对于WDR神经元windup现象，EA2 mA作用于non-RF和RF均能发挥显著的抑制作用（P<0.01，P<0.05），而EA1 mA只有作用于non-RF时才能显著抑制（P<0.01）。结论: 电针可以抑制大鼠脊髓背角WDR神经元的伤害性电活动，抑制效应与EA干预的强度和部位直接相关，2 mA的抑制效应要强于1 mA。.

The preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus, crucial in thermoregulation, has long been implicated in the pain process. However, whether nociceptive stimulation affects body temperature and its mechanism remains poorly studied.
We used capsaicin, formalin, and surgery to induce acute nociceptive stimulation and monitored rectal temperature. Optical fiber recording, chemical genetics, confocal imaging, and pharmacology assays were employed to confirm the role and interaction of POA astrocytes and extracellular adenosine. Immunofluorescence was utilized for further validation.
Acute nociception could activate POA astrocytes and induce a decrease in body temperature. Manipulation of astrocytes allowed bidirectional control of body temperature. Furthermore, acute nociception and astrocyte activation led to increased extracellular adenosine concentration within the POA. Activation of adenosine A1 or A2A receptors contributed to decreased body temperature, while inhibition of these receptors mitigated the thermo-lowering effect of astrocytes.
Our results elucidate the interplay between acute nociception and thermoregulation, specifically highlighting POA astrocyte activation. This enriches our understanding of physiological responses to painful stimuli and contributes to the analysis of the anatomical basis involved in the process.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pain remains one of the most common complaints after surgery, and appropriate treatments are limited.
METHODS: We therefore investigated the effect of the anti-nociceptive properties of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, on incision-induced postoperative pain and peripheral and central nervous system inflammation.
RESULTS: We found that local MgSO4 administration dose-dependently increases paw withdrawal latency, indicating reduced peripheral postoperative pain. Furthermore, MgSO4 inhibited the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit in injured paw tissue and significantly attenuated microglial and astrocytic activation in the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord dorsal horn.
CONCLUSIONS: Locally administered MgSO4 has potential for development as an adjunctive therapy for preventing central nociceptive sensitization.

Autonomic symptoms have been long noticed coming along with pain in the head, e.g. Trigeminal Neuralgia, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. The symptoms show up during pain attacks, so they are assumed to be activated by the nociceptive afferents of the trigeminal nerve. Here, we present a case with hypersalivation as the complication after percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia, although the patient was pain-free after the treatment. A 71-year-old female with excessive salivation on the affected side after percutaneous balloon compression is described. The patient underwent microvascular decompression several years ago, and both the microvascular decompression and the preoperative imaging examination confirmed that there was no offending vessel at the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve. After the percutaneous balloon compression, the patient was free of pain, but the autonomic symptoms (hypersalivation) still showed up. The autonomic symptoms which usually came along with pain presented solely as post-percutaneous balloon compression complication in the case. Contrary to popular belief, for the patient who was pain-free after percutaneous balloon compression, the transiently overactivated nerve fibers that led to hypersalivation were not nociceptive afferents of the trigeminal nerve.

Gouty arthritis evokes joint pain and inflammation. Mechanisms driving gout pain and inflammation remain incompletely understood. Here we show that CXCL5 activates CXCR2 expressed on nociceptive sensory neurons to drive gout pain and inflammation. CXCL5 expression was increased in ankle joints of gout arthritis model mice, whereas CXCR2 showed expression in joint-innervating sensory neurons. CXCL5 activates CXCR2 expressed on nociceptive sensory neurons to trigger TRPA1 activation, resulting in hyperexcitability and pain. Neuronal CXCR2 coordinates with neutrophilic CXCR2 to contribute to CXCL5-induced neutrophil chemotaxis via triggering CGRP- and substance P-mediated vasodilation and plasma extravasation. Neuronal Cxcr2 deletion ameliorates joint pain, neutrophil infiltration and gait impairment in model mice. We confirmed CXCR2 expression in human dorsal root ganglion neurons and CXCL5 level upregulation in serum from male patients with gouty arthritis. Our study demonstrates CXCL5-neuronal CXCR2-TRPA1 axis contributes to gouty arthritis pain, neutrophil influx and inflammation that expands our knowledge of immunomodulation capability of nociceptive sensory neurons.

The current study was designed to investigate the potential of a synthetic therapeutic agent for better management of pain and inflammation, exhibiting minimal to non-existent ulcerogenic effects. The effect of 1-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-3-(2,3-dichlorophenyl) thiourea was assessed through model systems of nociception and anti-inflammatory activities in mice. In addition, the ulcerogenic potential was evaluated in rats using the NSAID-induced pyloric ligation model, followed by histopathological and biochemical analysis. The test was conducted on eight groups of albino rats, comprising of group I (normal saline), groups II and III (aspirin® at doses of 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg, respectively), groups IV and V (indomethacin at doses of 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg, respectively), and groups VI, VII, and VIII (lead-compound at 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg doses, respectively). Furthermore, molecular docking analyses were performed to predict potential molecular target site interactions. The results showed that the lead-compound, administered at doses of 15, 30, and 45 mg/kg, yielded significant reductions in chemically and thermally induced nociceptive pain, aligning with the levels observed for aspirin® and tramadol. The compound also effectively suppressed inflammatory response in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. As for the ulcerogenic effects, the compound groups displayed no considerable alterations compared to the aspirin® and indomethacin groups, which displayed substantial increases in ulcer scores, total acidity, free acidity, and gastric juice volume, and a decrease in gastric juice pH. In conclusion, these findings suggest that our test compound exhibits potent antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory properties and is devoid of ulcerogenic effects.

Neuropathic pain is a chronic debilitating condition caused by nerve injury or a variety of diseases. At the core of neuropathic pain lies the aberrant neuronal excitability in the peripheral and/or central nervous system (PNS and CNS). Enhanced connexin expression and abnormal activation of connexin-assembled gap junctional channels are prominent in neuropathic pain along with reactive gliosis, contributing to neuronal hypersensitivity and hyperexcitability. In this review, we delve into the current understanding of how connexin expression and function contribute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of neuropathic pain and argue for connexins as potential therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain management.

In addition to motor symptoms, non-motor manifestations of Parkinson\'s disease (PD), i.e. pain, depression, sleep disturbance, and autonomic disorders, have received increasing attention. As one of the non-motor symptoms, pain has a high prevalence and is considered an early pre-motor symptom in the development of PD. In relation to pathological pain and its management in PD, particularly in the early stages, it is hypothesized that the loss of dopaminergic neurons causes a functional deficit in supraspinal structures, leading to an imbalance in endogenous descending modulation. Deficits in dopaminergic-dependent pathways also affect non-dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems that contribute to the pathological processing of nociceptive input, the integration, and modulation of pain in PD. This review examines the onset and progression of pain in PD, with a particular focus on alterations in the central modulation of nociception. The discussion highlights the importance of abnormal endogenous descending facilitation and inhibition in PD pain, which may provide potential clues to a better understanding of the nature of pathological pain and its effective clinical management.