Yasuyuki Suzuki (1), Kazuhiro Goto (1), Atsushi Ishige (1), Yasuhiro
Komatsu (1) and Junzo Kamei (2)
(1) Kampo and Pharmacognosy Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ami-machi,
Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1192, Japan
(2) Department of Pathophysiology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Hoshi University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
Abstract: We evaluated the antinociceptive effect of Gosha-jinki-gan,
a Kampo medicine including processed Aconiti tuber, and its mechanism in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Gosha-jinki-gan (0.1 - 1.0 g/kg, p.o.)
showed a more potent antinociceptive effect in diabetic mice than in non-diabetic
mice. The antinociceptive effect of Gosha-jinki-gan (0.3 g/kg, p.o.) in
diabetic mice was inhibited by administration of either anti-dynorphin antiserum
(5 microg, i.t.) or nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a kappa-opioid
antagonist. The antinociceptive activity of Gosha-jinki-gan (0.3, 1.0 g/kg,
p.o.) was decreased by excluding processed Aconiti tuber. Furthermore, the
antinociceptive effect of processed Aconiti tuber (0.03, 0.1 g/kg, p.o.)
was also shown to be enhanced in diabetic mice. These results suggest that
the increased antinociceptive effect of Gosha-jinki-gan in diabetic mice
is partly derived from the action of processed Aconiti tuber and that it
is based on stimulation of spinal kappa-opioid receptors via dynorphin release.
Gosha-jinki-gan was considered useful for treating painful diabetic neuropathy.
Keywords: Gosha-jinki-gan, Antinociception, Diabetes, Processed Aconiti
tuber, Dynorphin