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pharmaceuticals
Review
Psychotropic Drugs for the Management of Chronic
Pain and Itch
Daria A. Belinskaia 1, *,†, Mariia A. Belinskaia 2, †, Oleg I. Barygin 1, Nina P. Vanchakova 3and
Natalia N. Shestakova 1
1
Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. Torez 44,
St. Petersburg 194223, Russia; oleg_barygin@mail.ru (O.I.B.); n_shestakova@list.ru (N.N.S.)
2International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland;
belinskaya88@gmail.com
3Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Faculty of Postgraduate Education, First Pavlov State Medical
University, L’va Tolstogo str. 6-8, St. Petersburg 197022, Russia; vanchakova@spb-gmu.ru
*Correspondence: d_belinskaya@mail.ru; Tel.: +7-921-580-69-19
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
Received: 26 May 2019; Accepted: 21 June 2019; Published: 24 June 2019
Abstract:
Clinical observations have shown that patients with chronic neuropathic pain or itch
exhibit symptoms of increased anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment. Such patients
need corrective therapy with antidepressants, antipsychotics or anticonvulsants. It is known
that some psychotropic drugs are also effective for the treatment of neuropathic pain and pruritus
syndromes due to interaction with the secondary molecular targets. Our own clinical studies have
identified antipruritic and/or analgesic efficacy of the following compounds: tianeptine (atypical
tricyclic antidepressant), citalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), mianserin (tetracyclic
antidepressant), carbamazepine (anticonvulsant), trazodone (serotonin antagonist and reuptake
inhibitor), and chlorprothixene (antipsychotic). Venlafaxine (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor) is known to have an analgesic effect too. The mechanism of such effect of these drugs is not
fully understood. Herein we review and correlate the literature data on analgesic/antipruritic activity
with pharmacological profile of these compounds.
Keywords: chronic pain; psychotropic drugs; pharmacological profile; animal model; clinical trial
1. Overview
Chronic pain accompanies many pathological conditions, such as diabetes, chronic renal failure,
and cancer [
1
–
3
]. The nature of chronic pruritus is currently under discussion, but there are reasons to
believe that it can be assumed as a specific type of pain [4,5].
At least half of patients suffering from chronic pain and itching are diagnosed with mental disorders
such as depression and/or anxiety [
6
,
7
]. At the same time, chronic pain and pruritus syndromes
are found in 60% of patients with depression [
8
,
9
]. Regardless of whether the mental disorders are
primarily or secondarily related to chronic pain and itching, such patients need compensatory therapy
with psychotropic drugs, some of which have their own analgesic and antipruritic action [
10
,
11
]. It is
indicated often in medical literature that it is the class of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) that have such
efficacy. However, effective analgesic/antipruritic drugs are found among practically all antidepressant
groups [12]. Anticonvulsants and antipsychotics are widely used in pain management, too [13,14].
Generally, the detection of analgesic and especially antipruritic effects of psychotropics is random,
there are no certain structure criteria for determining their efficacy. In our previous studies, using
molecular modelling methods, we showed that the tricyclic and tetracyclic psychotropic drugs that
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99; doi:10.3390/ph12020099 www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 2 of 49
have the V-like conformation of their heterocyclic group (aromatic rings co-centered at an angle of
120–160 degrees, Figure 1) have analgesic and antipruritic activity, whereas the drugs that have a plain
conformation of their rings do not [
15
]. However, the target of analgesic and antipruritic action of the
effective compounds remained unclear.
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 49
studies, using molecular modelling methods, we showed that the tricyclic and tetracyclic
psychotropic drugs that have the V-like conformation of their heterocyclic group (aromatic rings
co-centered at an angle of 120–160 degrees, Figure 1) have analgesic and antipruritic activity,
whereas the drugs that have a plain conformation of their rings do not [15]. However, the target of
analgesic and antipruritic action of the effective compounds remained unclear.
Figure 1. V-like conformation of aromatic rings in the example of mianserin.
According to the data reported in literature, some TCAs are blockers of the
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), which are involved in the pain signal pathways [16,17].
In 2009, using the patch-clamp technique, Barygin and co-authors showed that the tricyclic
compounds that have V-like configuration of their rings are able to block NMDAR through a
voltage-dependent mechanism, unlike plain compounds [18]. We hypothesised that it is the
anti-glutamate mechanism that determines the analgesic and antipruritic efficacy of psychotropic
drugs containing the V-like group. Later, using electrophysiological methods, we showed that the
antidepressants desipramine and amitriptyline as well as antipsychotics chlorpromazine and
atomoxetine, which contain the V-like group in their structure and are effective for chronic pain
management, are able to block NMDAR by the mechanism called “trapping” [19]. Trapping
blockers do not prevent channel closure and agonist dissociation. After channel closure, such
blockers become trapped in the closed state and cannot leave the channel until it opens again.
However, there were mismatches, too. Our own clinical studies at First Pavlov State Medical
University have identified antipruritic and/or analgesic efficacy of the following compounds
(Figure 2): tianeptine (atypical tricyclic antidepressant), citalopram (selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRI)), mianserin (tetracyclic antidepressant), carbamazepine (anticonvulsant),
trazodone (serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)), chlorprothixene (antipsychotic)
[9,20–22]. Mianserin, carbamazepine and tianeptine contain the V-like group in their 3D-structure
(Figure 2), but they are not NMDAR blockers in clinically relevant concentration [23]. Later, we
showed that besides the V-like moiety, a drug has to have a positively charged amine group in its
structure to block NMDAR [24], and mianserin, carbamazepine and tianeptine do not contain this.
Trazodone and citalopram have other configurations of their aromatic rings, and we showed that
they have no anti-glutamate activity [19,23]. The anti-glutamate effect of chlorprothixene is unclear;
the angle between its aromatic rings is close to 180 degrees, but the configuration is not completely
plain. Our own electrophysiological experiments showed that chlorprothixene is able to inhibit
NMDAR, but there was only partial trapping (see details in Section 3.6.3).
Regarding analgesic and antipruritic activity of these psychotropics, certainly, there are some
limitations in their effectiveness. Firstly, we studied their effect in patients having chronic itch and
pain (musculoskeletal and/or headache) associated with chronic renal failure (CRF) and chronic
haemodialysis (CH), as well as in patients with diffuse itching accompanied by depression. It is not
necessary that the compounds be helpful for other types of pain and pruritus. Secondly, the drugs
were not effective for all persons. Some of them were beneficial for patients of a certain sex; some
were ineffective for several subjects for unknown reason. Thirdly, the number of patients of First
Pavlov State Medical University that we could observe was limited. Summarising the above, we
Figure 1. V-like conformation of aromatic rings in the example of mianserin.
According to the data reported in literature, some TCAs are blockers of the N-methyl-d-aspartate
receptors (NMDAR), which are involved in the pain signal pathways [
16
,
17
]. In 2009, using the
patch-clamp technique, Barygin and co-authors showed that the tricyclic compounds that have V-like
configuration of their rings are able to block NMDAR through a voltage-dependent mechanism, unlike
plain compounds [
18
]. We hypothesised that it is the anti-glutamate mechanism that determines the
analgesic and antipruritic efficacy of psychotropic drugs containing the V-like group. Later, using
electrophysiological methods, we showed that the antidepressants desipramine and amitriptyline
as well as antipsychotics chlorpromazine and atomoxetine, which contain the V-like group in their
structure and are effective for chronic pain management, are able to block NMDAR by the mechanism
called “trapping” [
19
]. Trapping blockers do not prevent channel closure and agonist dissociation.
After channel closure, such blockers become trapped in the closed state and cannot leave the channel
until it opens again.
However, there were mismatches, too. Our own clinical studies at First Pavlov State Medical
University have identified antipruritic and/or analgesic efficacy of the following compounds (Figure 2):
tianeptine (atypical tricyclic antidepressant), citalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)),
mianserin (tetracyclic antidepressant), carbamazepine (anticonvulsant), trazodone (serotonin antagonist
and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)), chlorprothixene (antipsychotic) [
9
,
20
–
22
]. Mianserin, carbamazepine
and tianeptine contain the V-like group in their 3D-structure (Figure 2), but they are not NMDAR
blockers in clinically relevant concentration [
23
]. Later, we showed that besides the V-like moiety,
a drug has to have a positively charged amine group in its structure to block NMDAR [
24
], and
mianserin, carbamazepine and tianeptine do not contain this. Trazodone and citalopram have other
configurations of their aromatic rings, and we showed that they have no anti-glutamate activity [
19
,
23
].
The anti-glutamate effect of chlorprothixene is unclear; the angle between its aromatic rings is close to
180 degrees, but the configuration is not completely plain. Our own electrophysiological experiments
showed that chlorprothixene is able to inhibit NMDAR, but there was only partial trapping (see details
in Section 3.6.3).
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 3 of 49
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 49
suppose it is necessary to expand the frontiers of using of psychotropic drugs for treatment of
chronic pain and pruritus.
Figure 2. The structures of the psychotropic drugs studied: (1) tianeptine; (2) citalopram; (3)
mianserin; (4) carbamazepine; (5) trazodone; (6) chlorprothixene; (7) venlafaxine.
In the group of the compounds described above, there are no representatives of TCAs,
gabapentinoids or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), which are also widely used
for chronic pain management. That is why we have added venlafaxine, a SNRI, to the list of the
drugs reviewed (Figure 2). We have not included TCAs and gabapentinoids in our review, since
they have already been studied and described extensively, for example in reviews [25–28]. Briefly,
TCAs are the most effective antidepressants for neuropathic pain; however, they could be
considered to be dirty drugs that affect multiple targets and have pleiotropic effects. It was shown
that TCAs are able to affect adrenergic and opioid receptors, voltage-gated sodium, potassium and
calcium channels, and NMDA receptors. The multiple actions of TCAs lead to many side effects,
which limits their use. The gabapentinoids gabapentin, pregabalin (both are widely used for
management of neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal
neuralgia, and restless legs syndrome) and mirogabalin (recently approved for neuropathic pain
and postherpetic neuralgia in Japan) are ligands of the α2δ subunit of voltage-dependent calcium
channels. It is supposed that the drugs are able to affect NMDA receptors, sodium channels, and
the endogenous opioid system. These drugs should be used judiciously in patients with kidney
problems [29].
The purpose of this review is to analyse and correlate the literature data and the results of our
own research on analgesic/antipruritic activity and pharmacological profile of the compounds
chosen. The information obtained could help to identify relationships between the pharmacological
profiles of the drugs and the peculiarities of their analgesic/antipruritic efficacy, to identify “blank
spots” and to determine the future direction for the development of effective personalised therapy
in patients with pain/itch and mood disorders.
2. Targets of Analgesic and Antipruritic Therapy
In the first stage, we collated currently available information about the main receptors that are
considered targets for analgesic and antipruritic therapy.
2.1. NMDA and AMPA Receptors
The glutamatergic system plays an important role in the perception of sensory information of
various modalities. Glutamatergic synapses participate in mediation of nerve impulses associated
with the transmission of olfactory, vestibular, visual, tactile and pain signals. Glutamate receptors
are present in all structures and regions of the central nervous system (CNS) that are responsible for
responding to pain stimulation. The main participants in the transmission of pain impulse by the
Figure 2.
The structures of the psychotropic drugs studied: (
1
) tianeptine; (
2
) citalopram; (
3
) mianserin;
(4) carbamazepine; (5) trazodone; (6) chlorprothixene; (7) venlafaxine.
Regarding analgesic and antipruritic activity of these psychotropics, certainly, there are some
limitations in their effectiveness. Firstly, we studied their effect in patients having chronic itch and
pain (musculoskeletal and/or headache) associated with chronic renal failure (CRF) and chronic
haemodialysis (CH), as well as in patients with diffuse itching accompanied by depression. It is not
necessary that the compounds be helpful for other types of pain and pruritus. Secondly, the drugs
were not effective for all persons. Some of them were beneficial for patients of a certain sex; some were
ineffective for several subjects for unknown reason. Thirdly, the number of patients of First Pavlov
State Medical University that we could observe was limited. Summarising the above, we suppose
it is necessary to expand the frontiers of using of psychotropic drugs for treatment of chronic pain
and pruritus.
In the group of the compounds described above, there are no representatives of TCAs,
gabapentinoids or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), which are also widely used
for chronic pain management. That is why we have added venlafaxine, a SNRI, to the list of the drugs
reviewed (Figure 2). We have not included TCAs and gabapentinoids in our review, since they have
already been studied and described extensively, for example in reviews [
25
–
28
]. Briefly, TCAs are the
most effective antidepressants for neuropathic pain; however, they could be considered to be dirty
drugs that affect multiple targets and have pleiotropic effects. It was shown that TCAs are able to
affect adrenergic and opioid receptors, voltage-gated sodium, potassium and calcium channels, and
NMDA receptors. The multiple actions of TCAs lead to many side effects, which limits their use. The
gabapentinoids gabapentin, pregabalin (both are widely used for management of neuropathic pain,
postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, and restless legs syndrome) and
mirogabalin (recently approved for neuropathic pain and postherpetic neuralgia in Japan) are ligands
of the
α
2
δ
subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels. It is supposed that the drugs are able to
affect NMDA receptors, sodium channels, and the endogenous opioid system. These drugs should be
used judiciously in patients with kidney problems [29].
The purpose of this review is to analyse and correlate the literature data and the results of our
own research on analgesic/antipruritic activity and pharmacological profile of the compounds chosen.
The information obtained could help to identify relationships between the pharmacological profiles of
the drugs and the peculiarities of their analgesic/antipruritic efficacy, to identify “blank spots” and to
determine the future direction for the development of effective personalised therapy in patients with
pain/itch and mood disorders.
2. Targets of Analgesic and Antipruritic Therapy
In the first stage, we collated currently available information about the main receptors that are
considered targets for analgesic and antipruritic therapy.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 4 of 49
2.1. NMDA and AMPA Receptors
The glutamatergic system plays an important role in the perception of sensory information of
various modalities. Glutamatergic synapses participate in mediation of nerve impulses associated
with the transmission of olfactory, vestibular, visual, tactile and pain signals. Glutamate receptors
are present in all structures and regions of the central nervous system (CNS) that are responsible for
responding to pain stimulation. The main participants in the transmission of pain impulse by the
family of glutamate receptors are NMDAR and
α
-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic
acid receptors (AMPAR) [30].
AMPARs are more involved in acute pain processes [
31
]. At the same time, a large number
of experimental and clinical data indicate the key role of NMDA receptors in the pathogenesis of
neuropathic pain syndrome [
32
]. At present, a low-affinity NMDAR channel blocker, memantine,
known to effectively suppress inflammatory tonic pain, is widely used in clinical practice. In
addition, NMDAR antagonists potentiate the effects of opioid receptor agonists [
33
]. In models of
neuropathic pain, all classes of NMDAR antagonists have analgesic activity: channel blockers [
34
],
competitive antagonists [
35
], glycine antagonists [
36
] and polyamine antagonists [
37
]. It should
be noted that NMDAR antagonists block almost all displays of pain, from behavioral changes
to reactions of the endocrine and vegetative nervous systems [
38
]. Introduction of NMDAR
antagonists effectively prevents the development of neuropathic hyperalgesia, and repeated
administration reduces hyperalgesia in animals with an already developed neuropathic syndrome [
39
].
There is a case for the cure of neurogenic pain syndrome after subarachnoid administration of
3-(2-Carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP), which is a competitive antagonist of
NMDAR [40].
Investigation of the analgesic effect of NMDAR antagonists is ongoing, and a targeted search for
potential blockers among various classes of drugs is being conducted. A randomised, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study of l-4-chlorokynurenine, the precursor of 7-chlorokynurenic acid, which is in
turn a well-known antagonist of the glycine site of NMDAR, was performed on healthy volunteers [
41
].
The results of the study revealed its safety and effectiveness in reducing allodynia, plus thermal and
mechanical hyperalgesia caused by administration of capsaicin to the volunteers. It was shown that the
analgesic effect of pregabalin (anticonvulsant) is associated with modulation of the NMDAR [
42
,
43
]. Our
own electrophysiological experiments have shown that antidepressants and neuroleptics (amitriptyline,
desipramine, atomoxetine, chlorpromazine), which have the analgesic effect, are capable of voltage-
and magnesium-dependent blockade of NMDAR and are not active in the inhibition of AMPAR [19].
2.2. Sodium Channels
According to their activation mechanism, sodium channels are divided into voltage-dependent
(VGSCs or Nav) and ligand-dependent [
44
]. Voltage-dependent sodium channels play a key role
in neurons, ensuring the generation and distribution of action potential in the CNS and peripheral
nervous system (PNS) [
45
]. By subunit composition, there are nine types of voltage-dependent sodium
channels: Nav1.1-1.9 [
46
]. Nerve damage can lead to an increase of activity of sodium channels, which
leads to hyperexcitability of neurons and causes neuropathic pain [
47
]. Thus, Navs are attractive
targets for the development of anti-pain therapy. The sodium channel blockers that are currently used
for the treatment of neuropathic pain include such classes of drugs as TCA [
48
], local anesthetics [
49
],
and anticonvulsants [
13
]. Moreover, plant and animal toxins have been widely tested as potent pain
therapeutics. In the paper [
50
], information was gathered about the toxins inhibiting sodium channels
and having an antinociceptive effect. The authors of [51] collected the data on cysteine knot peptides
from spider venoms that modulate Nav and performed analysis of the structure–activity relationships
of the compounds.
Recent clinical and experimental studies indicate that Nav1.7 plays a crucial role in the hereditary
mechanisms of neuropathic pain: mutations in the SCN9A gene were found to be associated with
hereditary pain syndromes. The mutations associated with congenital pain sensitivity (CIP) lead to
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 5 of 49
incomplete functioning of the Nav1.7 channels and to the inability to experience pain [
52
]. Given the
role of Nav1.7 in pain management and the fact that expression of Nav1.7 is limited to the PNS, it was
suggested that blockers to selectively inhibit Nav1.7 could be the ideal analgesics [
53
]. Therefore, at
present, the efforts of many researchers are aimed at finding and improving such drugs and studying
the analgesic action of already known blockers. Thus, the study [
54
] describes animal testing of new
potential Nav1.7 blockers belonging to the class of benzenesulfonamides that have a better ability to
penetrate the membrane than their predecessors. In the paper [
55
], a sulfonamide compound AMG8379
was described which, according to electrophysiological measurements, inhibited Nav1.7 in nanomolar
concentrations, and showed an analgesic efficacy in experiments on rodents. In the work [
56
], the
interaction of Navs with the neurotoxin Jingzhaotoxin-34, which is part of the poison of the Chinese
tarantula, was investigated. It was found that the toxin had a maximum affinity for Nav1.7 at the
resting state, and it showed anti-pain activity in the experiments on animals.
To make the rational design of Nav inhibitors more powerful, the molecular mechanisms of Nav
inhibition have been studied extensively. For example, in the paper [
57
], a model of the eukaryotic
sodium channel Nav1.4 was constructed using homologous modelling, and then docking of molecules
of local anaesthetics and anticonvulsants, including carbamazepine, into the inside the channel was
performed. Using the Monte Carlo minimisation approach, the drug binding site and the binding
mode were determined; the structural characteristics of the ligands, which are responsible for the
effectiveness of their binding to the sodium channel, were identified. Having applied molecular
modelling techniques, the authors of [
58
] showed that neutral and positively charged ligands bind
with different sites of the Nav. The neutral molecules bind in the well-known site on helix 6, and
the positively charged drugs interact with an additional site, where their charged group is attracted
into the selectivity filter. The researchers assumed that the new information about the mechanism of
sodium channel blocking would help to design the subtype-selective sodium channel inhibitors.
2.3. Calcium Channels
The term “calcium channels” often means the voltage-dependent type of the channels, which
is more common, but it should be mentioned that there are ligand-dependent calcium channels as
well [
59
]. According to their physiological and pharmacological properties, the voltage-dependent
calcium channels (VGCCs) are divided into several types: low-threshold T-type (Cav3.1, Cav3.2,
Cav3.3) and high-threshold L- (Cav1.1-4), N- (Cav2.2), P/Q- (Cav2.1) and R- (Cav2.3) types [
60
,
61
]. All
of these five subclasses are present in the CNS and PNS. Regulation of intracellular calcium through
the activation of VGCCs plays a role in the release of neurotransmitters, depolarisation of membrane
potential, activation and inactivation of enzymes, and regulation of gene expression [
62
,
63
]. The large
amount of data clearly indicates that VGCCs are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases,
including the transmission of pain signals [63,64].
N-type calcium channels are the most attractive target for analgesic drugs [
65
]. These channels
are located in the dorsal root ganglia, on the presynaptic terminals, where afferent nerve fibers form
synapses with postsynaptic neurons of the posterior horn of spinal cord [
66
,
67
]. Changes of the
biophysical properties and increased expression of this type of VGCCs under pathological conditions
increase the release of synaptic vesicles with pain transmitters, such as glutamate, substance P, and
calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), resulting in pain. The role of N-type VGCCs in neuropathic
pain is supported by the data indicating that N-type calcium channel antagonists can block tactile
allodynia caused by nerve damage [
68
] and neural responses of the posterior horn of spinal cord [
69
].
It was shown that blocking N-type VGCCs at the level of the spinal cord and sensory neurons inhibits
the release of pain-inducing peptides such as substance P, CGRP, and the excitatory neurotransmitter
glutamate [
70
,
71
]. N-type VGCCs blockers pregabalin, gabapentine and ziconotide are widely used in
clinics for pain therapy [
72
]. Interesting details of the mechanism of analgesic action of gabapentinoids
were described in [
73
]. It is known that
α
2
δ
-1, a voltage-activated Ca2+channel subunit, is a binding
site of gabapentinoids. The authors showed that
α
2
δ
-1 forms a heteromeric complex with NMDARs in
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 6 of 49
rodent and human spinal cords, and gabapentinoids reduce neuropathic pain by inhibiting forward
trafficking of α2δ-1-NMDAR complexes.
Analysis of the data reported in the literature in recent years revealed no clear breakthroughs
in the development of new analgesic drugs among calcium channel blockers. Recently, the attention
of researchers has focused on T-type calcium channels. T-type VGCCs are found in the primary
afferent neurons of the spinal ganglia and in the free nerve endings. They contribute to the initiation of
action potential in these sites by reducing the activation threshold [
74
]. Intensified T-type activity of
VGCCs contributes to the development of pain by stimulating the increase of synaptic excitation [
75
].
The paper [
76
] describes the compound KYS-05090S, which is a T-type calcium channel blocker.
Electrophysiological measurements showed that the drug can inhibit the receptors in low micromolar
concentration, and its anti-pain effect was shown in animal models of neuropathic pain (model of
the Spared Nerve Injury, SNI). In the work [
77
], 14 diphenyl-methyl-piperazine derivatives were
synthesised and their ability to inhibit T-type calcium channels was tested. Based on the results of the
testing, a potential blocker was selected that inhibits T-type channels in the half maximal inhibitory
concentration (IC
50
) equal to 4
µ
M, but does not block L- and N-type varieties. The antinociceptive
effect of this compound was shown in rodents with formalin-induced inflammatory pain. In addition
to the synthesis and testing of new drugs that can inhibit T-type VGCCs, such compounds are sought
in nutraceuticals, which are food components having therapeutic properties. Thus, in the work [
78
] it
was shown that the extract of lavender and rosemary, which includes linalool and rosmarinic acid, can
have a modulating effect on T-type calcium channels expressed in the HEK293T cell line.
Despite successful
in vitro
experiments and preclinical testing of new calcium channel blockers, the
results of their clinical trials are controversial. For example, a multicentre, double-blind, controlled and
randomised trial with ethosuximide, an anticonvulsant and a T-type channel blocker, was performed
recently in 114 patients with non-diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain [
79
]. Earlier, ethosuximide was
shown to have analgesic effects in several chronic pain models. The clinical trial revealed the high
number of adverse events in the active treatment group where the drug failed to reduce total pain and
showed a poor tolerance.
2.4. GABA(A)-Receptors
Another well-known participant of nociceptive transmission and, therefore, a possible target for
the analgesics, is the A-type gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAAR). It is a ligand-dependent
ion (chlorine) channel in chemical synapses of the nervous system that inhibits the transmission of
nervous excitation and is controlled by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) [
80
]. The structure of the
receptor is a pentamer and consists of three types of subunits in various combinations:
α
(6 subtypes),
β(3 subtypes) and γ(3 subtypes) [81].
There is evidence indicating that neuropathic pain can be controlled by modulating the GABAAR.
It was shown that spinal administration of the GABAAR antagonist bicculine causes tactile allodynia
and thermal hyperalgesia in rats [
82
]. In contrast, small doses of the GABAAR agonist muscimol
inhibited tactile allodynia in rats [
83
]. The ability of muscimol to reduce neuropathic pain is described
in [
84
] too; moreover, based on observation of the behavior of rodents, the authors concluded that the
introduction of muscimol reduced not only pain, but itching as well. Synthetic compound L-838,417 is
an agonist of the
α
1,
α
2, and
α
3 subunits and an antagonist of the
α
5 subunit of the GABAAR; it was
shown that this drug has the ability to reduce neuropathic pain in animal models without an addictive
effect [
85
]. The important role of the GABAAR, especially its
α
2 and
α
3 subunits, in the mechanism of
neuropathic pain is also shown in other studies: the partial agonist of the
α
2 and
α
3 subunits of the
GABAAR TPA023 has antinociceptive efficacy [
86
]; the compounds HZ166 [
87
,
88
] and SL651498 [
89
]
have similar properties.
Interaction with the GABAAR is described not only for experimental drugs, but also for several
clinically approved psychotropic drugs. Electrophysiological experiments in rat hippocampal slices
showed that the antidepressants imipramine, fluoxetine and trazodone influenced the interaction of
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 7 of 49
GABAAR with its antagonist pentylenetetrazole [
90
]. The authors concluded that these antidepressants
enhance the activity of the GABAAR complex by an unexplained mechanism. It was shown that
carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine at clinically relevant concentrations potentiate the GABAAR [
91
].
At the same time, according to our data, carbamazepine, imipramine and trazodone are effective in
management of neuropathic pain and itching syndromes [15,20–22].
The role of the GABAAR in the transmission of different types of pain is currently being studied
intensively. For example, the authors of [
92
] investigated the role of peripheral GABAAR signalling
on pain hypersensitivity by using the Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain model in
mice. It was shown that the nociceptive behaviour and mechanical hypersensitivity in CFA-induced
mice was significantly inhibited by GABAAR antagonists picrotoxin (a non-competitive GABAAR
inhibitor) and bicuculline (a competitive inhibitor unable to cross the blood-brain barrier). Moreover,
intraplantar injection of an anti-GABA antibody attenuated CFA-induced mechanical hypersensitivity,
and intraplantar application of a selective positive allosteric modulator of GABAAR induced mechanical
hypersensitivity in the control group of mice. The authors proposed that peripheral GABAAR signalling
in inflamed tissues is a novel potential therapeutic target for alleviating persistent inflammatory pain.
In the paper [
93
], the
α
6 subunit of the GABAARs located in trigeminal ganglia was tested as a
possible target for management of trigeminal neuropathic pain. The effect of two pyrazoloquinolinone
compounds, DK-I-56-1 and DK-I-87-1 was studied, and one of them, DK-I-56-1, was shown to have
a therapeutic potential. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that the drug enhanced the
currents through recombinant rat
α
6
β
3
γ
2,
α
6
β
3
δ
and
α
6
β
3 GABAA receptors, whereas it was inactive
on most GABAA receptor subtypes containing other
α
subunits. In the rat chronic constriction injury
(CCI) model of neuropathic pain, DK-I-56-1 displayed the antinociceptive effect.
The authors of [
94
] investigated the participation of spinal
α
5-GABAA receptors in the
reserpine-induced fibromyalgia-type pain in rats. The analgesic effect of L-655,708 (selective
α
5-GABAA
receptor inverse agonist) and (TB 21007, selective
α
5-GABAA receptor inverse agonist) was tested
in reserpine-treated rats. It was shown that both drugs decreased tactile allodynia and muscle
hyperalgesia in female rats, and their effect on male animals was lower. In naïve rats, intrathecal
administration of L-655,708 and TB 21,007 produced sex-dependent tactile allodynia and muscle
hyperalgesia. The effect of L-655,708 was prevented or reversed by L-838,417, a partial agonist of
α
5-
GABAA receptors, which proved that spinal
α
5-GABAA receptors participate in L-655,708-induced
antiallodynic activity in female rats. The researcher concluded that spinal
α
5-GABAA receptors play
a sex-dependent antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic role in naïve rats, suggesting that
α
5-GABAA
receptors inversing agonists may be useful in women with fibromyalgia.
And finally, using cryo-electron microscopy, Masiulis and co-authors recently obtained the
3D-structures of the full-length human
α
1
β
3
γ
2L GABAA receptor and its complexes with the
channel-blocker picrotoxin, the competitive antagonist bicuculline, the agonist GABA, and the classical
benzodiazepines alprazolam and diazepam [
95
]. The obtained structures will help to study the details
of the mechanism of action of the GABAA receptor by molecular modelling methods and perform a
rational design of the analgesic drugs targeting the receptor.
2.5. Opioid Receptors
Opioid receptors were identified in the early 70s of the 20th century as the receptors that bind
morphine-like substances [
96
]. Opioid receptors belong to the family of G-protein coupled receptors
(GPCRs) [
97
]. Currently, opioid receptors are divided into three main subtypes:
µ
- (mu),
δ
- (delta) and
κ
- (kappa) [
98
]. Within the body, the main function of opioid receptors is participation in regulation
of pain. In response to pain stimulus, endogenous opioid ligands (opioid peptides) are produced.
Their binding with opioid receptors leads to the closure of voltage-dependent calcium channels and to
efflux of potassium ions from the cell, hyperpolarisation of membrane potential and termination of
nerve impulse transmission [
99
]. For this reason, opioid receptor agonists (opioids, in other words)
remain among the most commonly used analgesic drugs [
100
–
102
]. Side effects of opioids can include
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 8 of 49
itching, sedation, nausea, respiratory depression, constipation and euphoria, and with continuous use,
tolerance and dependence develop, leading to a withdrawal syndrome [103].
Currently, the efforts of researchers are aimed at the development of the opioid receptor agonists
that would cause the maximum analgesic effect with minimal side effects [
104
,
105
]. Tiwari and
co-authors investigated the efficacy and safety of demorphin-[D-Arg2, Lys4]-(1-4)-amide (DALDA),
which is an agonist of
µ
-opioid receptors of the PNS, in animal models of neuropathic pain [
106
]. It has
been shown that the drug was effective for reducing thermal allodynia, while not causing any changes
in locomotion and motor activity of the experimental rodents, which indicates the absence of the effect
of the drug on the CNS. The authors of [
107
] investigated the effect of the
κ
-opioid receptor agonist
U50,488 on bone pain caused by breast cancer. Clinical studies revealed a higher efficacy of U50,488
compared with the traditional opioids. It was shown that the use of U50,488 did not lead to bone loss
or proliferation of cancer cells.
Currently, the efforts of researchers are aimed at the development of the opioid receptor agonists
that would cause the maximum analgesic effect with minimal side effects [
104
,
105
]. Tiwari and
co-authors investigated the efficacy and safety of demorphin-[D-Arg2, Lys4]-(1-4)-amide (DALDA),
which is an agonist of
µ
-opioid receptors of the PNS, in animal models of neuropathic pain [
106
]. It has
been shown that the drug was effective for reducing thermal allodynia, while not causing any changes
in locomotion and motor activity of the experimental rodents, which indicates the absence of the effect
of the drug on the CNS. The authors of [
107
] investigated the effect of the
κ
-opioid receptor agonist
U50,488 on bone pain caused by breast cancer. Clinical studies revealed a higher efficacy of U50,488
compared with the traditional opioids. It was shown that the use of U50,488 did not lead to bone loss
or proliferation of cancer cells.
In the work [
108
], the efficacy and safety of mixed diarylmethylpiperazine opioid receptor agonists
were investigated
in vitro
and
in vivo
(in rats and macaques). The authors tried to find a drug with
such ratio of affinities for the
δ
-,
κ
-, and
µ
-opioid receptors, that the drug would be as effective
and safe as possible. According to the data obtained, the drugs with the proportion of affinities
δ
>
µ
~
κ
have the maximum analgesic effect and cause the least side effects associated with addiction
and difficulty in breathing.
In the paper [
109
], the analgesic action and side effects of three peptidomimetics AAH8, AMB46,
and AMB47, which are agonists of
µ
-opioid receptors and antagonists of
δ
-opioid receptors, were tested
in animal models using the warm water tail withdrawal test. Morphine was used as the reference
drug. According to the data obtained, all the drugs produced a strong analgesic effect. After repeated
administration, a drug tolerance developed to morphine and AMB46. Significantly fewer signs of
withdrawal are observed in mice that receive repeated AAH8. Drug dependence symptoms were not
observed for AAH8. The authors concluded that, although AAH8 may be an alternative to classical
opioids, a combination of a
µ
-receptor agonist with a
δ
-receptor antagonist is not sufficient to prevent
the development of tolerance or physical dependence.
In the work [
110
], the analgesic and side effects of spiradoline (an agonist of
κ
-opioid receptors)
and of its 1:10, 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1 mixtures with morphine and etorphine (agonists of
µ
-opioid receptors)
were studied in animal models. According to the data obtained, the mixtures with greater ratio of
µ
to
κ
agonist have more than an additive antinociceptive effect. The authors concluded that
κ
:
µ
mixtures
might have therapeutic potential for treating pain, enhancing potency of each other, while reducing or
avoiding some µreceptor-mediated adverse effects.
An interesting solution to the problem of side effects of opioid receptor agonists was proposed
in [
111
]. The authors suggested that pH-dependent agonists should be used for pain management,
and their pKa should be close to the pH of injured tissue. In this case, the drug would have analgesic
action without side effects. The researches verified their hypothesis by testing the designed drug in
animal models of inflammatory, postoperative, neuropathic, and abdominal pain.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 9 of 49
2.6. Cannabinoid Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors are a class of cellular receptors belonging to the GPCR superfamily [
112
].
The receptors bind the endocannabinoid ligands (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) and
exogenous ligands (cannabinoids themselves and their synthetic analogues). The endocannabinoid
system is involved in a variety of physiological processes, including appetite, pain, mood, and
memory [
113
]. Currently, two types of mammalian cannabinoid receptors are known: CB1 (in the CNS
and PNS) and CB2 (mainly in immunocompetent and hematopoietic cells) [114].
The analgesic effect of cannabinoid receptor modulators is being actively studied in animal models.
The authors of [
115
] investigated the analgesic effect of celastrol, a substance contained in the root of
Tripterygium wilfordii and used in traditional Chinese medicine for inflammatory disorders. In mice,
inflammatory and neuropathic pain was induced by injection of carrageenan and by SNI, respectively.
The intraperitoneal injection of celastrol relieved the swelling and allodynia caused by carrageenan.
In the animals with neuropathic pain, celastrol reduced mechanical hyperalgesia. The anti-pain effect
of celastrol was abolished by the introduction of an antagonist of CB2. The authors concluded that the
analgesic effect of celastrol is related to its ability to activate CB2, and the cannabinoid system can be a
good target for anti-pain therapy. In the paper [
116
], diabetes and subsequent diabetic neuropathy,
resulting in tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, was induced in mice by daily administration of
streptozocin. Then, the animals were administered agonists and antagonists of CB1 and CB2. The
results of the experiment showed the effectiveness of agonists of both types of cannabinoid receptors
for relief of syndromes of neuropathic pain caused by diabetes, but, at the same time, unexpectedly,
CB1 and CB2 antagonists had no pronociceptive effect. The antinociceptive effect of the mixed CB1
and CB2 agonist CP55,940 was also demonstrated in mice with chemotherapy-induced neuropathic
pain [117].
Despite a large body of evidence having demonstrated the antinociceptive action of CB1 receptor
agonists, opposite results were obtained in the paper [
118
]. Analgesic action of hemopressin and CB1
receptor antagonist, SR141716, was studied in animal models. The authors showed that hemopressin
behaves as a CB1 inverse agonist. At the same time, hemopressin and SR141716 had antinociceptive
effect in different models of pain.
There were attempts of clinical trials of CB1 and CB2 modulators for the treatment of neuropathic
pain. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in cancer patients suffering from neuropathic pain
caused by chemotherapy, the efficacy of the cannabinoid-containing drug nabiximols was shown to
relieve pain symptoms [
119
]. It is interesting that nabiximols is a combination of two compounds,
tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a partial agonist of CB1 and CB2, and cannabidiol, which is an indirect
antagonist of these receptors.
Thereby, modulation of chronic pain through the cannabinoid system is probably more complicated
than direct activation or inhibition of cannabinoid receptors.
2.7. 5-HT7 Receptors
The 5-HT7 receptors are one of the subtypes of serotonin receptors belonging to the family of
GPCRs on the cell membrane. It is activated by the neurotransmitter serotonin [
120
]. The 5-HT7
receptors are involved in the regulation of body temperature, circadian rhythm, sleep, learning and
memory processes [
121
]. There is also evidence that the 5-HT7 receptors may be involved in the
regulation of mood and emotions, which makes them an important target in the treatment of depression
and in the development of new antidepressants [122,123].
Data have been accumulated indicating that the 5-HT7 receptors are involved in the transmission
of the pain signal. Brenchat and co-authors caused mechanical hypersensitivity in mice using
capsaicin [
124
]. They revealed that the systematic administration of the 5-HT7 receptor agonists had
an antinociceptive effect, which was suppressed by administration of the 5-HT7 receptor antagonists.
The analgesic effect remained unchanged after administration of the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists,
which suggests that it is the 5-HT7 receptor subtype that is involved in the control of pain in conditions
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 10 of 49
involving central sensitisation. The same group of researchers showed that the 5-HT7 receptor agonists
could reduce mechanical hypersensitivity and thermal hyperalgesia in mice caused by nerve damage
without causing addiction [125].
Study of the analgesic effect of 5-HT7 receptor agonists is ongoing. It was found that the selective
agonists of 5-HT7 receptor LP-44 and LP-211 reduced orofacial pain caused by the introduction of
formalin in mice [
126
]. Since chronic pain and depression often accompany and reinforce each other,
and the serotonin receptors are involved in the regulation of mood and emotions, the efforts of many
scientists are aimed at finding the agonists that would reduce both pain and depression. A group of
Italian and Swiss scientists showed in mice that the 5-HT7 receptor agonist LP-211 affects both the
sensory and the emotional component of pain [
127
]. In the work [
128
], it was shown that an extract of
marine cyanobacteria contains compounds having a high affinity for the 5-HT7 receptors. The extract
was tested in mice with SNI-induced pain and depression. It was revealed that administration of the
compounds isolated from marine cyanobacteria caused antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in males,
but not in females.
The 5-HT7 receptors are of great interest also due to existing data on the relationships between
the nervous and humoral systems. Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, regulate
the secretion of various cytokines by stimulating the corresponding receptors on the surface of
immunocompetent cells, including the peripheral ones. It was shown that in patients with mental
disorders, the content of proinflammatory cytokines is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid. Cytokines
are known to cause hyperalgesia, reduce pain threshold, sensitise afferent nociceptive neurons, and
increase the frequency of discharges in nociceptive A
δ
- and C-fibers. All these factors contribute to
central sensitisation, which is displayed by secondary hyperalgesia and/or allodynia [
129
]. For this
reason, in our opinion, the 5-HT7 receptors are a very promising target for the treatment of chronic
pain associated with depressive and anxiety disorders.
2.8. Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
The sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) is a cell membrane bi-directional transporter. Under
normal conditions, it removes calcium out of the cell (direct mode) but can also pump calcium into
the cell (reverse mode) under special conditions, such as an increased concentration of intracellular
sodium and/or membrane depolarisation [130,131].
The authors of the work [
132
] showed that the TCAs imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline and
clomipramine (having antinociceptive efficacy) inhibit calcium uptake induced by sodium-calcium
exchange, whereas the L-type calcium channel blocker diltiazem (not having analgesic activity)
does not.
It was shown that many ion channel blockers are partial inhibitors of the NCX, for example,
amiodarone (calcium channel blocker), dronedarone (calcium, potassium, sodium channels blocker),
bepridil (calcium channels blocker), sibenzolin (sodium channels blocker) [
133
]. At the same time,
amiodarone was found to reduce heat, cold and tactile allodynia in animal models of neuropathic
pain [134].
At present, the NCX is considered to be one of the possible targets of therapeutic effect in the
development of new methods of pain therapy [
135
]. The advantage of this target is that, unlike
ion channel blockers with strong side effects, regulation at a more delicate level through the NCX
is less traumatic for the body. There is a lot of evidence that NCX inhibitors can be used as the
regulators of cell calcium concentration, including for the relief of neuropathic pain syndromes and for
neuroprotection [
135
]. The NCX was found to play a key role in the process of calcium-dependent
inactivation of NMDAR [
136
]. It was revealed that when the NCX was affected by the non-specific and
specific inhibitors (lithium and KB-R7943, respectively), a significant increase in calcium-dependent
inactivation of NMDARs was observed in the presence of calcium in the extracellular solution, which
indicates the significant role of the NCX in controlling ionic conductivity of NMDAR. At the same time,
lithium is actively used in the treatment of mental disorders; however, its mechanism of action remains
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 11 of 49
unclear. The data obtained make it possible to consider the possible therapeutic use of KB-R7943
and the NCX inhibitors that are similar to it in the mechanism of action. It was proposed that this
effect is determined by a tight functional interaction of NCX and NMDAR molecules because of their
co-localisation in membrane lipid rafts [137].
2.9. Histamine Receptors
In addition to the targets for analgesic drugs, potential targets for antipruritic compounds are also
of great interest. Histamine is one of the most well-known pruritus mediators [
138
,
139
]. The histamine
receptors belong to the class of GPCRs and bind histamine as the major endogenous ligand [
140
]. Four
types of histamine receptors are known: H1–H4 [
141
]. The role of the H1, H3, and H4 receptors in the
transmission of histamine-induced pruritus has been shown in many studies [
142
–
144
]. For this reason,
histamine receptor antagonists are first-line drugs for itch management [
145
]. Diphenhydramine
discovered in 1943 was the first antihistamine clinically approved in the United States [
146
]. Since then,
the development and improvement of histamine receptor antagonists has been continuing. Among the
recent studies, the work [
147
] should be mentioned. The authors synthesised a series of pyrrolidine
amides on the base of phthalazinone and tested
in vitro
their effectiveness against the H1 receptors
and the duration of action. Three compounds from the series turned out to be better in terms of
duration of action than azelastine, an antihistamine widely used in medicine. The authors of [
148
]
selected twenty steroid compounds from the database with the highest efficacy against the H3 receptor
and, then, by sequential modification of the moieties of their chemical structure, they obtained a new
generation of compounds with better affinities. Ko and co-authors used a similar approach, searching
for new effective H4 receptor antagonists for the treatment of atopic dermatitis [
149
]. Using the virtual
screening method, they selected forty-two of the most promising compounds from the database of
small molecules based on the pharmacophore model. Then, using a combination of in silico and
in vitro
methods they performed a step-by-step modification of the fragments of their chemical structure and
obtained a new compound with the improved affinity and selectivity for the H4 receptor.
However, it is known that antihistamines are ineffective in many cases of chronic itching, which
indicates the existence of a histamine-independent mechanism [
138
]. Therefore, in addition to the
histamine receptors, other targets for anti-itch drugs are being studied. In particular, transient receptor
potential channels (TRP channels) are of great interest as targets for antipruritic therapy.
2.10. TRP Channels
TRP channels are a group of ion channels located mainly in the plasma membrane of many
types of animal and human cells. There are seven subfamilies of TRP channels: TRPC (Canonical),
TRPV (Vanilloid), TRPM (Melastatin), TRPA (Ankyrin), TRPP (Polycystin), TRPML (Mucolipin), TRPN
(No mechanopotential). Most of these channels mediate various sensations, such as the sensation of
pain, heat, warm or cold, different types of taste, pressure and vision. The channels have relatively
non-selective permeability for cations, including sodium, calcium and magnesium ions. TRP channels
are activated and regulated through various stimuli and synthesised in almost all body systems [
150
].
A large amount of data has been accumulated on the involvement of TRP channels in pain
pathways and on studies of modulators of the receptors for the management of neuropathic pain
syndromes. This information has been fully presented in recent reviews [
151
,
152
]. Currently, TRP
channels are attracting the attention of scientists due to the fact that some of them are the targets
for the treatment of neuropathic pruritus. Six TRP channels are now firmly associated with itch
generation and transduction, and selective drugs targeting TRP channels are promising compounds for
the treatment of chronic itching [
153
]. Thus, in the work [
154
], the mechanism of action of crotamiton,
which is a well-known antipruritic drug, was investigated. By patch-clamp technique in the “whole
cell” configuration, it was revealed that crotamiton is a strong inhibitor of TRPV4 channels.
In vivo
experiments in mice showed that the antipruritic efficacy of crotamiton decreased with the injection of
GSK1016790A, which is a selective antagonist of TRPV4 channels. Akiyama and co-authors caused
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 12 of 49
itching with various stimuli in wild-type mice and TRPV4 channels knock-out mice and compared the
response [
155
]. It was found that serotonin-induced pruritus in knock-out mice was less exhibited than
in wild-type mice. Prior administration of the TRPV4 channels antagonist reduced itching in wild-type
mice. The effect was not observed for histamine-evoked scratching. In contrast, having compared
scratching responses evoked by histaminergic pruritogens in TRPV4 knock-out and wild type mice,
the authors of [
156
] demonstrated a significant role of TRPV4 channels in mediating histaminergic itch.
In the paper [
157
], it was shown that knockdown of TRPV4 expression in keratinocytes and dermal
macrophages reduces allergic and non-allergic chronic itch in mice, respectively. TRPV4 expression in
skin biopsies from patients with chronic idiopathic pruritus was significantly more intensive than in
skin from healthy control subjects. The authors of all the listed papers agree that TRPV4 channels are a
perspective target for the development of antipruritus drugs.
In our review, we couldn’t cover all possible participants of the pain/itch signal transmission.
There are many other macromolecules that are considered to be targets of analgesic/antipruritic therapy:
adenosine receptors [
158
], P2X7 receptors [
159
], noradrenaline and dopamine systems [
160
], potassium
channels [
161
], SNAP-25, which is a protein participating in docking of synaptic vesicles with the
presynaptic neuron membrane [
162
], etc. These targets definitely require additional consideration in
the future.
3. Psychotropic Drugs for Management of Pain and Itching Syndromes and Their Interaction
with the Targets for Analgesic and Antipruritic Therapy
At the next stage of our review, we searched the data on analgesic and antipruritic efficacy of the
psychotropic drugs studied in animal models and in clinical trials. Furthermore, the interaction of the
drugs with the listed above targets for analgesic and antipruritic therapy was also considered. The
information found is summarised in Tables 1and 2.
3.1. Tianeptine
3.1.1. Tianeptine. Animal Models
Kim and co-authors studied the effect of tianeptine in a rat model of inflammatory pain caused by
intraplantar formalin injections [
163
]. The pain behaviour was quantified by counting the number
of flinches in the injected paw. Tianeptine was administrated intrathecally. The drug reduced the
flinching response during both phases of the test and authors concluded that tianeptine is effective in
reducing inflammatory pain.
In the work [
164
], mechanical allodynia was evoked in rats by L5 and L6 SNL and mechanical
sensitivity was tested by von Frey filaments. The authors showed a significantly increased paw
withdrawal threshold in operated rats after preventive intrathecal tianeptine administration. Its
preventive intraperitoneal administration had no effect on the severity of mechanical allodynia.
Nevertheless, intraperitoneal pretreatment of tianeptine potentiated the antiallodynic effects of
subsequently administered tianeptine. The authors concluded that tianeptine can be used in the clinic
for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
One more group of Korean scientists studied the effects of tianeptine on mechanical allodynia
in rats [
165
]. Tactile allodynia in rodents in this study was caused in two ways: by ligating the
L5 spinal nerve and by chemotherapy (systematic vincristine injections). The severity of allodynia
was also determined using von Frey filaments. Tianeptine was administered intraperitoneally
after the appearance of mechanical allodynia in rats. For both models of neuropathic pain, it was
shown that tianeptine increases the paw withdrawn threshold and could be effective for the relief of
neuropathic pain.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 13 of 49
Table 1. Analgesic and antipruritic effect of psychotropic drugs on different types of pain/itching.
Drug Analgesic Effect: Animal Models Analgesic Effect: Clinical
Trial
Antipruritic Effect:
Animal Models
Antipruritic Effect:
Clinical Trial
Dosage in
Clinical Trials,
Literature Data
(Our Study)
Main Side Effects
Led to Withdrawals
and Refusal of
Treatment
Tianeptine formalin test; mechanical allodynia;
fibromyalgia
chronic pain in patients with
chronic renal failure (CRF) ND
neuropathic pruritus
in male patients with
CRF
20–40 mg/day
(37.5 mg/day) ND *
Citalopram
hot plate test; the second phase of the
formalin test; thermal hypersensitivity
in the chronic constriction injury
(CCI) model
psychosomatic pain; diabetic
neuropathy (mild effect);
migraine (presumably);
neuropathic pain in patients
with CRF (mild effect)
ND
itching in psoriasis
(mild effect);
neuropathic pruritus
in patients with CRF
(mild effect)
20–40 mg/day
(20 mg/day)
nausea, vomiting,
epileptic seizures,
tachycardia, dizziness,
gastric upset, diarrhea
Mianserin
hot plate test (enhancement of
metamizol); tail flick test (enhancement
of metamizole and indometacin);
diabetic neuropathy
neuropathic pain in patients
with CRF; tension headache;
chronic pain associated with
“true” depression
potentiation of
hindlimb scratching
neuropathic pruritus
in male patients with
CRF
30–90 mg/day
(30 mg/day)
lack of appetite,
dryness of mouth,
thirst, drowsiness,
dullness
Carbamazepine
hot plate test; inflammatory pain;
trigeminal neuralgia;
chemotherapy-induced painful
neuropathy
diabetic neuropathy;
trigeminal neuralgia ND
itching in sclerosis;
brachioodal itch;
trigeminal trophic
syndrome
200–800 mg/day
(300 mg/day)
giddiness, rash,
sleeplessness
Trazodone hot plate test; thermal hyperalgesia;
formalin induced pain
diabetic neuropathy;
adjuvant therapy in
fibromyalgia
ND diffuse pruritus 50–300 mg/day
(50–100 mg/day)
dizziness, headache,
tachycardia,
stomachache
Chlorprothixene
anesthesia of experimental animals
postherpetic neuralgia;
adjuvant therapy in meralgia
paraesthetica
ND diffuse pruritus 50–400 mg/day
(15 mg/day)
psychical
abnormalities,
drowsiness, vertigo
Venlafaxine
hyperalgesia in the CCI model;
carrageenan-induced pain and
inflammation; mechanical
hypersensitivity induced by SNI;
neuroinflammation and oxidative stress
diabetic neuropathy;
chemotherapy-induced
peripheral neuropathy;
visceral hyperalgesia;
inflammation
ND ND 37.5–225 mg/day
nausea, somnolence,
headache, insomnia,
sexual dysfunction,
dizziness
“ND”—no data, *—there are no data about side effects of tianeptine in experiments on its analgesic/antipruritic efficacy, but the drug has neurologic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal
side effects as an antidepressant.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 14 of 49
Table 2. Pharmacological profile of psychotropic drugs.
Drug NMDA
(inhib.)
AMPA
(inhib.)
Sodium
(inhib.)
Calcium
(inhib.)
GABA(A)
(activ.)
Opioid
(activ.)
Cannabinoid
(modul.)
5HT7
(activ.)
NCX
(inhib.)
Histamine
(inhib.)
TRP
(inhib.)
Tianeptine − − ND − − +ND +ND −ND
Citalopram − − weak +− − +−ND +ND
Mianserin − − +there are +
and −−+ND −ND +ND
Carbamazepine
− − +there are +
and −+ND possible ND ND ND −
Trazodone −ND there are +
and −+++ND +ND +ND
Chlorprothixene
+ND +ND −ND ND −ND +possible
Venlafaxine −ND +ND ND +ND −ND −possible
“inhib.”—inhibition, “activ.”—activation, “modul.”—modulation, “+”—interaction has been shown, “
−
“—lack of interaction has been shown, “ND”—no data, “possible”—interaction has
been shown for similar drugs.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 15 of 49
The authors of the work [
166
] studied the effect of tianeptine on fibromyalgia symptoms in mice.
Mice were subjected to chronic stress (daily immobilisation, alternating with cold), which caused
symptoms of fibromyalgia. Tianeptine was administered intraperitoneally daily throughout the entire
period of stress. Using several behavioural tests and measuring corticosterone levels, it was shown
that tianeptine reduces the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms.
Thus, tianeptine was effective for reducing the symptoms of neuropathic pain in several
experiments on rodents (Table 1). As for the itch, we were unable to find published papers devoted to
the study of the antipruritic effect of tianeptine on animals.
3.1.2. Tianeptine. Clinical Studies
Analysis of the literature did not reveal published work on the clinical trials of tianeptine as an
analgesic and/or an antipruritic drug. As for our own data, at the Center for Haemodialysis in the First
Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg, we studied the effect of antidepressants tianeptine,
citalopram and mianserin on chronic pain and itching in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) who
were on chronic haemodialysis (CH) [
9
]. The study included 57 patients (35 males and 22 females)
with CRF and pain (chronic musculoskeletal pain and/or chronic headache) and itch syndromes. The
antidepressants were prescribed randomly in three groups. Analgesics, antihistamines and sedatives
were completely excluded from active therapy seven days before the start of treatment with the
antidepressants. In our studies there were no refusals of therapy, the severity of adverse effects was
negligible. The comparison group included 20 patients with CRF and chronic pain/itch syndrome, but
not receiving the antidepressants (but still receiving their usual analgesic and antipruritic therapy). The
group taking tianeptine included 20 patients. The daily dose was 37.5 mg. After 6 weeks of treatment,
the pain decreased on average by 52% in men taking tianeptine, and by 51% in women. There was no
significant reduction in pain in the control group (Table 3). As for itching, after 6 weeks of tianeptine
administration, itching decreased on average by 38% in men, and by 20% in women. There was no
significant change in itch intensity in the comparison group (Table 3).
Table 3.
Treatment of chronic pain and itching of patients with chronic renal failure in chronic
haemodialysis with antidepressants) [9].
Pain (Dartmouth Pain Questionnaire)
Drug Men Women
Before Treatment After Treatment Before Treatment After Treatment
tianeptine 0.44 ±0.21 0.21 ±0.16 0.91 ±0.16 0.45 ±0.21
citalopram 0.78 ±0.25 0.64 ±0.18 0.85 ±0.16 0.66 ±0.12
mianserin 0.81 ±0.23 0.27 ±0.06 0.93 ±0.18 0.71 ±0.16
comparison group 0.13 ±0.07 0.13 ±0.1 0.23 ±0.12 0.22 ±0.11
Itch, Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index scale (SCORAD)
Drug Men Women
Before Treatment After Treatment Before Treatment After Treatment
tianeptine 17.4 ±8.1 10.8 ±5.6 15.5 ±1.3 12.5 ±1.7
citalopram 16.45 ±6.7 14.45 ±6.0 13.75 ±1.8 10.75 ±1.3
mianserin 18 ±7.5 4.75 ±1.8 8.41 ±2.1 6.97 ±1.3
comparison group 9.16 ±3.44 9.42 ±3.6 7.64 ±1.8 7.96 ±1.6
Thus, in our clinical studies tianeptine has been shown to be effective in reducing neuropathic
pain and itching in patients with CRF. As an analgesic, the drug was equally effective for both men
and women, and as an antipruritic agent, it turned out to be more effective for men (Tables 1and 3).
In our studies, there were no refusals of tianeptine therapy; however, neurologic, cardiovascular, and
gastrointestinal side effects are commonly reported in literature and there are cases reported on fatal
intoxication connected with tianeptine [167].
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 16 of 49
3.1.3. Tianeptine. Interaction with the Receptors
Our own research has shown that tianeptine blocks neither NMDAR nor AMPAR [
23
].
Nevertheless, there are data indicating that tianeptine affects ion current through NMDAR and
AMPAR not directly, but by participating in a signalling cascade, which results in the phosphorylation
of these receptors and modulation of their permeability [168].
In the paper [
169
], with the help of a radioactively labelled ligand, it was shown in cell cultures
from humans and mice that tianeptine is a high-affinity
µ
-opioid receptor agonist, a medium-affinity
full
δ
-opioid receptor agonist, and is not a
κ
-opioid receptor agonist. The authors of [
170
] caused
visceral pain in rats by colorectal distension. The antinociceptive effect of tianeptine disappeared after
injection of naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist). The authors concluded that tianeptine is an opioid
receptor agonist, which may be associated with its analgesic efficacy.
Lin and co-authors showed involvement of the 5-HT7 receptors in the antinociceptive effect of
tianeptine [
171
]. The rodents with allodynia caused by SNL were injected intrathecally with tianeptine
both in the absence and presence of SB-269970, which is an antagonist of the 5-HT7 receptors. The
authors showed that tianeptine had an analgesic effect that was suppressed by SB-269970.
Several ex vivo experiments showed that tianeptine does not bind at clinically relevant
concentrations to calcium channels, glutamate receptors, GABA(B) receptors, and histamine
receptors [
172
]. GABAAR were not studied, but we have supposed that tianeptine probably does not
affect them either.
Published data does not show the effect of tianeptine on voltage-dependent sodium channels,
cannabinoid receptors, the NCX, TRP channels. The information on tianeptine pharmacological profile
is summarised in Table 2.
3.2. Citalopram
3.2.1. Citalopram. Animal Models
The authors of the work [
173
] studied the analgesic effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
in two animal pain models: (1) the hot plate test, in which an animal was placed on a pad with
certain temperatures (from 42
◦
C to 53
◦
C) and measuring times before the nociceptive behavior;
(2) intraperitoneal injection of phenylbenzoquinone, which caused a nociceptive response–abdominal
writhing as a result of nociceptive irritation of visceral receptors. It was shown that SSRIs, including
citalopram, were more effective in pain models with the hot plate test. The authors suggested that this
may be due to the fact that in the hot plate test both supraspinal mechanisms (emotional perception)
and spinal reflexes are activated. Thus, it seems that citalopram and other SSRIs are supraspinal
analgesics: painkillers that promote the release of prolactin, which provides euphoria and distract
attention from pain.
The opposite result is described in [
174
]. The authors studied the analgesic effect of various
antidepressants, including citalopram, in rat models of acute, persistent and neuropathic pain. Acute
pain was evoked by a hot plate, chronic pain was caused by intraplantar formalin injection, and
neuropathic pain was caused by chronic constriction injury (CCI). In this work, citalopram was not
effective in the hot plate test, but showed an antinociceptive effect in the second phase of the formalin
test, and also reduced thermal hypersensitivity in the CCI model. The researchers did not come to any
conclusion regarding citalopram, indicating that there are limits to its use, and this drug, along with
other SSRIs, requires further study.
The drug was effective for reducing the symptoms of neuropathic pain in some experiments in
rodents (Table 1). As for the itch, we could not find any published papers on testing the antipruritic
effect of citalopram in animals.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 17 of 49
3.2.2. Citalopram. Clinical Studies
The authors of the work [
175
] performed a double-blind study of the analgesic action of citalopram
in patients with diabetic neuropathy. The patients diagnosed with diabetes had one or more symptoms:
pain, paresthesia, dysesthesia and hypoesthesia; and the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy: decreased
sensitivity, strength, or tendon reflexes. In the experiment, the patients were randomly divided into
two groups (taking citalopram and placebo), not being informed which group they were in. During
the first week of the study, the data on their condition were gathered, 3 weeks of therapy followed,
then a pause to remove the metabolites was taken; again the patients were divided into two groups,
and another 3 weeks of therapy followed. This study showed that citalopram caused a slight relief of
symptoms of chronic diabetic neuropathy. The effect of citalopram was slighter than the effect of TCAs,
but citalopram was better tolerated by the patients.
Nørregaard and co-authors [
176
] in a double-blind study tested the effect of citalopram on patients
with fibromyalgia. Over 8 weeks, one group of patients took the drug (n =22) and another group
(n =22) took a placebo. According to the results obtained, citalopram did not affect the patients
with fibromyalgia.
In 1996, the authors of [
177
] investigated the effects of amitriptyline and citalopram on 40 patients
with chronic tension headaches. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed. The
intensity and duration of headache were recorded during 4 weeks before, then 8 weeks of therapy; there
was a 2-week pause to remove the metabolites, again 8 weeks of therapy, a 2-week pause, and final
8 weeks of therapy followed. A slight reduction of pain (“no” rather than “yes”) was obtained. The
conclusion of the research was that citalopram is not suitable for the treatment of tension headaches.
The authors of the work [
178
] also investigated the effect of citalopram on female patients with
fibromyalgia in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. After 2 months of treatment, a significant
decrease of pain was observed, but at the end of the test period (4 months) the level of pain increased
again. A slight decrease was also observed in the placebo group. The difference between the groups
receiving citalopram and placebo did not achieve statistical significance.
Aragona and co-authors [
179
] investigated patients with various types of psychosomatic pain:
headache, fibromyalgia, arthritis pain, and lower back pain. Patients were given citalopram and
reboxetine (a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor). About 30% of patients gave up therapy because
of severe side effects. However, it was shown that citalopram statistically significantly reduced
psychosomatic pain, whereas reboxetine did not. Based on this result, the authors concluded that the
antidepressant and analgesic effects of citalopram have different mechanisms.
In the work [
180
], the effect of citalopram and paroxetine (SSRI as well) on patients with diabetic
neuropathy was investigated. A small but statistically significant analgesic effect was shown. The
authors concluded that SSRIs are not the first-line drugs, but since they have fewer side effects than
TCAs and anticonvulsants, therapists may prescribe them for neuropathic pain management.
The authors of [
181
] studied the effects of escitalopram (S-enantiomer of citalopram) on patients
suffering from moderate severe psoriasis accompanied by depression and/or anxiety. Patients (n =38)
taking antagonists of tumor necrosis factor (these drugs are widely used as agents for the treatment
of psoriasis), were divided into 2 groups. In the first group, escitalopram was added to the main set
of drugs. The second group took only the main set of drugs. It was shown that patients of the first
group had improved depression symptoms, and decreased both anxiety and depression. After using
escitalopram (the authors did not indicate the duration of therapy), itching intensity decreased, but
then began increasing again. The authors did not make certain conclusions about the effectiveness of
citalopram for the treatment of pruritus, suggesting that the relief effect may be related to the general
antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of the antidepressant.
In our study (the design of the experiment is described in Section 3.1.2) in patients with CRF,
citalopram had the weakest analgesic and antipruritic effect among three studied antidepressants
(citalopram, tianeptine, mianserin). In the group of 20 patients taking this drug in a dosage of 20 mg
per day, citalopram reduced the average pain intensity by 18% in men, and by 22% in women (Table 3).
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 18 of 49
Based on the comparison of psychosomatic indicators and pain intensity before and after therapy,
we concluded that the ability of citalopram to manage pain was due to its effect on the emotional
component of chronic pain [
9
]. As for antipruritic effect of citalopram, after 6 weeks of therapy, itching
decreased on average by 12% in men and by 22% in women (Table 3). Thus, the use of citalopram led
to a slight relief of itching, which is probably caused just by the antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects
of the drug and the improvement of mood of the patients.
Thus, on the whole, effectiveness of citalopram in reducing chronic pain and itching is absent or
weak (Table 1). According to most studies, including our trial, if citalopram still has slight analgesic
and antipruritic effect, it is due to its influence on the emotional component of pain/itch. Regarding
this observation, it is interesting to notice that in our study citalopram was a little more effective for
women, especially in itch treatment. Other researchers did not distinguish patients by sex in their
papers except [178] who studied women only.
In the described trials, there were withdrawals and dropouts due to the following side effects:
nausea, vomiting, epileptic seizures, tachycardia, dizziness, gastric upset, diarrhea, vertigo [
175
–
180
]
(Table 1).
3.2.3. Citalopram. Interaction with the Receptors
The analysis of the data reported in the literature has not revealed any studies on anti-glutamatergic
effect of citalopram. In our study, we showed in isolated rat brain neurons using the patch-clamp
technique that citalopram is almost ineffective as an inhibitor of NMDARs (IC
50
=180
µ
M) and not at
all effective as an AMPAR inhibitor (IC50 >300 µM) [19].
The authors of [
182
] using the patch-clamp technique, showed in HEK293 cells that citalopram can
inhibit Nav1.8 with IC
50
=100
µ
M. The researchers concluded that the analgesic effect of citalopram
and other SSRIs may be partially related to the blockade of sodium channels.
With the help of electrophysiological approaches, the ability of citalopram to inhibit L-type calcium
channels was shown in isolated ventilary cardiomyocytes of guinea pig [
183
] and in rat cardiomyocyte
cell culture [
184
]. In the work [
185
], the data was obtained in isolated ventilation myocytes from rats
that citalopram inhibits L-type calcium channels with IC
50
=64.5
µ
M. Moreover, citalopram did not
compete with the L-type calcium channel blocker diltiazem for binding to the receptor, which points to
different binding sites of these drugs.
In the review [
186
], it is reported with reference to the unpublished data that citalopram does not
affect the GABAergic system.
In the study [
187
], rats were administrated with citalopram for 14 days. Then, in discrete brain
regions, the authors studied the binding of [35S]GTP
γ
S (a radioactive G-protein activator) in the
presence of the cannabinoid receptor agonist, HU210, or the
µ
-opioid receptor agonist, [D-Ala2,N–Me–
Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO). It was shown that HU210-induced increase in [35S]GTP
γ
S
binding was reduced or abolished (depending on brain regions) after chronic treatment with citalopram.
Citalopram had no significant effect on DAMGO-induced [35S]GTP
γ
S binding in the brain regions
investigated, with the exception of the medial geniculate nucleus where a modest impairment was
observed. The authors concluded that citalopram probably affects the cannabinoid system as an inverse
agonist and does not affect the opioid one.
Hedlund and co-authors [
122
] studied the role of the 5-HT7 receptors in the pathways of depression
and the mechanism of the therapeutic action of citalopram in mice. The researchers divided the animals
into two groups, wild-type and 5-HT7 receptor knockout. They then caused depression in the mice
and injected the following drugs: the 5-HT7 receptor inhibitor SB-269970 and citalopram. SB-269970
differently affected the behavior of wild-type and knockout mice, whereas citalopram showed no
statistically significant difference. The authors concluded that citalopram does not interact with the
5-HT7 receptor.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 19 of 49
Using radioligand binding assays, it was shown that R-citalopram and citalopram possess moderate
affinities for histamine H1 receptors (affinity Ki =181
±
5 nanomoles/litre and 283
±
18 nanomoles/litre,
respectively) [188].
We have not found published data on the effect of citalopram on the NCX or TRP channels. The
information on citalopram pharmacological profile is summarised in Table 2.
3.3. Mianserin
3.3.1. Mianserin. Animal Models
The authors of [
189
] in their experiments demonstrated that mianserin decreased tolerance and
increased the latent period of response to painful stimuli in morphine-tolerant mice. However, without
mianserin, the indicators did not change.
In the work [
190
], the tandem effect of mianserin with morphine and indomethacin/metamizole
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) was studied in mice. Two models were used in the experiment:
the (1) tail-flick and (2) hot plate tests. The effect of a single dose and daily administration of the drug
for 14 days was tested. According to the results, mianserin in a single dose increased the antinociceptive
effect of metamizole (in the hot plate and tail-flick tests) and indomethacin (only in the tail-flick test).
Mianserin, administered for 14 days together with metamizole, enhanced the anaesthetic effect of the
latter (in the hot plate and tail-flick tests). Mianserin, applied for 14 days, increased antinociceptive
effect of indomethacin (in the tail-flick test). Mianserin did not alter the analgesic effect of morphine.
In 2015, Üçel and co-authors studied the effects of mianserin on neuropathic pain induced by
diabetes in rats using several experimental models [
191
]. The effect of mianserin on hyperalgesia arising
from peripheral diabetic neuropathy was studied using the Randall-Selitto test (paw compression
test—mechanical nociceptive stimulus), Hargreaves test (“plantar test”—thermal nociceptive stimulus)
and the cold plate test (4
◦
C—thermal nociceptive stimulus). A dynamic plantar aesthesiometer, which
measured the threshold values for mechanical stimuli, was used for allodynia studies. Thermal allodynia
was evaluated using the hot plate test (38
◦
C). It was found that mianserin improved mechanical
and thermal hyperalgesia associated with diabetic neuropathy. It also reduced diabetes-associated
mechanical and thermal allodynia. The ability of mianserin to decrease diabetic neuropathic pain was
comparable to pregabalin. Antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects of mianserin disappeared when
using
α
-methyl-para-tyrosine methyl ester (AMPT, catecholamine synthesis inhibitor), phentolamine
(non-selective
α
-adrenoreceptor antagonist), propranolol (non-selective antagonist
β
-adrenoreceptor)
and naloxone. However, these same effects remained in the presence of para-chlorophenylalanine
methyl ester (PCPA, serotonin synthesis inhibitor). The results suggest that the positive effect of
mianserin in diabetic neuropathic pain is connected with the increase of the level of catecholamines in
the synaptic cleft as well as through interaction with adrenergic receptors and opioid receptors.
In the work [
192
], the authors studied the effects of 5-HT receptor antagonists, including
mianserin, on pruritus in rats. The hindlimb scratches were induced by subcutaneous injection of
5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT, an agonist of 5-HT receptors). After the introduction of mianserin and
other antagonists of 5-HT receptors, potentiation of 5-MeOT-induced hindlimb scratching occurred.
The authors suggest that mianserin and other drugs can act not only as antagonists of 5-HT receptors,
but also as agonists of the receptors mediating hindlimb scratching.
Thus, in experiments in rodents, the drug showed its antinociceptive effect in some models of
neuropathic pain (Table 1). The effect of mianserin on itching in animal models was described only in
one paper and, according to published data, mianserin did not reduce but rather potentiated itching
in rats.
3.3.2. Mianserin. Clinical Studies
In 1989, Langemark and co-authors studied the effect of mianserin and TCA clomipramine on
chronic idiopathic pain in a group of 182 patients [
193
]. During a double-blind, placebo-controlled study,
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 20 of 49
the pain intensity was measured after 3 and 6 weeks of therapy. In the patients that were prescribed
mianserin, there was a statistically significant reduction of tension-type headache (84 patients), but the
effect of mianserin was weaker than clomipramine. Mianserin was ineffective for other types of pain,
such as burning mouth, abdominal pain, and lower back pain.
In the paper [
194
], the authors decided to confirm/refute the theory about chronic idiopathic pain
as a form of “masked depression”. In the experiment, the patients were divided into four groups:
(1) patients with pain and “masked depression” diagnosed, (2) patients suffering from pain and
depression, (3) patients suffering only from pain, (4) patients with only depression. All the subjects
took mianserin as a treatment. As a result, mianserin did not have an analgesic effect in any of the
groups. The authors suggested that the analgesic effect of mianserin is exhibited in patients with
diagnosed and treatable depression of unknown origin.
In 1993, in a double-blind placebo-controlled study, the authors of [
195
] tested the analgesic
effect of mianserin in the following groups: (1) patients with depression without pain, (2) patients
with depression with chronic (organic) pain, (3) patients with psychosomatic disorders and signs
of depression, (4) patients with chronic pain without depression. After a 12-week experiment, the
scientists had not confirmed the analgesic effect of mianserin.
Two groups of patients took part in the study [
196
]: (1) patients with depression and chronic
tension-type headache and (2) patients only with tension-type headache. The control group took a
placebo, the second group of patients in the first 4 weeks took mianserin, the next 8-week period they
took fluvoxamine (5-HT reuptake inhibitor). According to the results, both drugs had an analgesic
effect; however, higher rates of mianserin were in the group of patients suffering from depression
and mild tension-type headache, while fluvoxamine showed a better result in the group not suffering
from depression. The authors suggested that such effect occurs due to the involvement of serotonergic
neurotransmission in the tension-type pain mechanism. The analgesic effect is probably associated
with a direct effect on the central nervous system.
Analysis of the literature did not reveal published work on the clinical trials of mianserin as an
antipruritic drug.
In our studies [
9
] (the experiment design is described in Section 3.1.2) in a group of 17 patients
taking mianserin at a dosage of 30 mg per day, the average pain intensity decreased by 67% in men and
24% in women. As for antipruritic effect of mianserin, after 6 weeks of therapy, itching decreased, on
average, by 73.6% in men and 17% in women (Table 3). Thus, according to our data, for men, mianserin
turned out to be the most effective analgesic and antipruritic drug of the three antidepressants studied
(tianeptine, citalopram, mianserin). Moreover, in mianserin therapy, differences in efficacy for men
and women were most pronounced.
To summarise, the efficacy of mianserin for chronic pain is uncertain. Most studies indicate a lack
of analgesic effect or a slight effect on certain pain under certain conditions, e.g., tension headache
in patients suffering from depression. Thus, our results seem to contradict those reported in other
works. We suppose that this could be explained by sex difference; our trial demonstrated high efficacy
of mianserin in men and a low effect in women. The other studies did not distinguish the effect of
mianserin in males and females, but there were more women than men in the studied groups in all of
them [
193
–
196
]. With regard to side effects, there were withdrawals and dropouts due to the following
side effects: lack of appetite, dryness of mouth, thirst, drowsiness, and dullness [194–196].
3.3.3. Mianserin. Interaction with the Receptors
In the work [
197
], the inhibitory effect of several antidepressants, including mianserin, on the
current mediated by the NMDARs of frog oocytes was studied by electrophysiological methods.
Mianserin did not show any ability to inhibit NMDARs. Our own electrophysiological studies have
also shown that mianserin does not have anti-glutamatergic activity [23].
Using the electrophysiological methods (5 Hz train protocol), a group of Hungarian scientists
revealed that mianserin can inhibit the voltage-dependent sodium channels Nav1.2 in human HEK-293
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 21 of 49
cells with IC
50
=43
µ
M [
198
]. The same group demonstrated that the effectiveness of the inhibition of
sodium channels by mianserin is practically independent of pH, and therefore of the protonation state
and the total charge of the molecule of this antidepressant [199].
Becker and co-authors studied the muscle relaxant effect of several antidepressants, including
mianserin, in rat aortic rings [
200
]. According to the data obtained, mianserin, imipramine and
sertaline had a muscle relaxant effect on the aorta muscles. The authors suggested that this effect was
associated with the blocking of voltage-dependent calcium channels. Here it should be noted that,
despite the myorelaxant activity of mianserin shown in this work, its effectiveness was several times
lower than that of imipramine and sertaline. The authors of [
201
] also examined the ability of several
antidepressants, including mianserin, to inhibit muscle contraction in isolated sections of the ileum
of guinea pigs. It was shown that some antidepressants can inhibit muscle contraction through the
blocking of voltage-dependent calcium channels, but mianserin did not have an inhibitory effect.
In the work [
202
], the effects of imipramine, mianserin, and saline on various signalling pathways
were studied. The experiments were carried out in rats, which were divided into several groups. For
14 days, each group of animals was injected with an antidepressant and one with saline. Then, the
sections of the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus were taken from the animals and the effects of
major neurotransmitters, including GABA, were measured by electrophysiological methods. It was
revealed that mianserin did not affect the effects of GABA compared with the control group. The
authors concluded that mianserin does not interact with the GABAergic system.
Olianas and co-authors [
203
] studied the effects of mianserin on opioid receptors. The objects of
the study were Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) expressing human
δ
-, k- and
µ
- opioid receptors,
and neurons of mouse hippocampal and striatal cell cultures. Using radioactively labelled [35S]GTP
γ
S,
it was shown that mianserin was about 12- and 18-fold more potent in displacing the radioligand
bound to the
κ
-opioid receptor (Ki =1.7
±
0.3
µ
M) than the
µ
-opioid receptor-1 (Ki =21
±
1.2
µ
M) and
δ-opioid receptors (Ki =30.2 ±1.9 µM).
The interaction of mianserin with the opioid system has been shown
in vivo
as well. In the
study [
204
], the antinociceptive effect of mianserin was demonstrated in rodents using the hot
plate test. The analgesic effect of mianserin was eliminated by naloxone, an antagonist of opioid
receptors. The injection of other specific antagonists of various types of opioid receptors together
with mianserin showed that mianserin has the best affinity for
µ
-,
κ
1- and
κ
3-subtypes. The authors
of [
191
] caused diabetes mellitus in rats, and then injected them with mianserin. Using various tests
determining different types of nociceptive disorders (mechanical and thermal allodynia, hyperalgesia),
the researchers compared the behaviour of the rats treated with mianserin with the control group. It
was found that the antinociceptive effect of mianserin may be related to its effect on adrenoreceptors
and opioid receptors.
In the study [
205
], by measuring contractions in isolated segments of guinea pigs’ ileum, it was
shown that mianserin is an effective antagonist of the 5HT7 receptors. The authors of [
206
] studied
the molecular and pharmacological characteristics of the 5-HT2a and 5-HT7 receptors in the salivary
glands of the blowfly Calliphora vicina. The effects of various antidepressants on the receptors were
evaluated by measuring the transepithelial potential. It was determined that mianserin was the most
effective antagonist of the 5-HT7 receptors among the studied antidepressants.
Using radioligand binding assays, it was shown that mianserin has extremely high affinity for
histamine H1 receptor [207,208], and moderate affinity for H4-receptor [209].
No published data was found either on the effect of mianserin or on cannabinoid receptors, the
sodium-calcium exchanger, or TRP channels. Information related to the mianserin pharmacological
profile is summarised in Table 2.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 22 of 49
3.4. Carbamazepine
3.4.1. Carbamazepine. Animal Models
The analgesic activity of carbamazepine has been known since the mid-20th century, and continues
to be studied. In rats, carbamazepine has been shown to reduce inflammatory hyperalgesia caused by
the introduction of brewer’s yeast [210].
In the study [
211
], thermal and mechanical pain in mice was induced in the hot plate and
tail pressure tests, after which the authors tested antinociceptive effect of sodium channel blockers,
including carbamazepine. It turned out that the studied drugs were much more effective for relieving
thermal pain compared to mechanical pain, which indicates that there are different ways of transmitting
these pain signals.
In another research investigation [
212
], using the writhing test in animal models, the analgesic effect
of antidepressants (imipramine (TCA), fluvoxamine (SSRI), and milnacipran (SNRI)) was evaluated
with a joint intake of carbamazepine. According to the results, carbamazepine has an antinociceptive
effect, and in combined administration with antidepressants, the analgesic effect is enhanced.
The authors of [
213
], by administering paclitaxel to rodents, simulated neuropathic pain
by chemotherapy and afterwards examined the pain relief effect of anticonvulsants: gabapentin,
lamotrigine, and carbamazepine. The result of the study showed that carbamazepine had no significant
analgesic effect in this type of neuropathic pain. The opposite result was obtained in the work [
214
]. The
analgesic effect of a single and continuous administration of carbamazepine with cisplatin (a component
of chemotherapy) on peripheral neuropathic pain in rats was studied. Pain behaviour was evaluated
by the “tail-flick” test. According to the data obtained, one-time carbamazepine intake increased the
tail-flick time latency, and continuous administration of the drug increased the pain threshold. The
authors concluded that carbamazepine can be used in cancer patients to relieve neuropathic pain
caused by cisplatin.
In the work [
215
], neuropathic pain in rats was induced by SCI. The authors then studied
the antinociceptive effect of several psychotropic drugs: cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55,940,
gabapentin and carbamazepine (anticonvulsants) and amitriptyline (antidepressant). According to the
data obtained, carbamazepine was not effective in this type of neuropathic pain.
In the work [
216
], mechanical allodynia was induced in rats by infraorbital nerve CCI, thus
simulating trigeminal neuralgia. Then, the analgesic effect of various drugs was studied: morphine,
baclofen, carbamazepine, clomipramine. It turned out that of all the drugs, only carbamazepine and
baclofen had the antinociceptive effect, wherein the effect of carbamazepine was stronger.
Thus, in experiments in rodents, the drug showed its analgesic effect in quite a few models
of neuropathic pain (Table 1). As for itching, we could not find any published papers testing the
antipruritic effect of carbamazepine on animals.
3.4.2. Carbamazepine. Clinical Studies
In neuropathic pain treatment in humans, carbamazepine is used primarily as a first-line drug
for trigeminal neuralgia. The first clinical placebo-controlled study proving the effectiveness of
carbamazepine for the treatment of pain symptoms in trigeminal neuralgia was conducted in 1966 in
70 patients [217].
In the study [
218
], 143 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated with carbamazepine. The
result of the study showed that carbamazepine was effective in relieving pain in more than 50% of the
cases without strong side effects and addictive effects over the prolonged treatment.
The last clinical study on carbamazepine and trigeminal neuralgia was presented in 1995 [
219
].
The authors studied the effect of carbamazepine and phenytoin. The drugs showed similar efficacy
(82.35% and 81.81% responders, respectively), whereas combination therapy showed 100% efficacy.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 23 of 49
Carbamazepine is also widely used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. In a small group
of patients (40 patients), a double-blind placebo-controlled study showed the nociceptive efficacy of
carbamazepine in patients with the disease [220].
A recent study [
221
] involved 452 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. Patients took
carbamazepine during a 12-week period. After 2 months, the average pain interference score
significantly reduced, and the quality of life (QoL scale score) improved.
Antipruritic efficacy of carbamazepine was also studied. The work [
222
] describes 3 cases of
paroxysmal itching in female patients with multiple sclerosis. In two cases out of three, carbamazepine
relieved itching. The study [
223
] on brachioradial pruritus (BRP) in cervical spine diseases mentions a
patient with BRP which had relief of itch during the therapy with carbamazepine. The report [
224
]
described a patient with trigeminal trophic syndrome, who suffered from ulceration near the right
nostril, which caused facial pain and itching in the nose. Treatment with carbamazepine decreased
the symptoms.
In our small trial, 11 patients were studied with chronic kidney disease on haemodialysis taking
a course of carbamazepine. Status of the patients was estimated before and after 4 weeks from the
beginning of the therapy. Before the medical treatment pains were localised in upper and lower
extremities, vertebral region, and coxal bones; durations of pain paroxysm were from 2
−
3 h to
20 h per a day; the average pain intensity in the group was 4.98
±
2.37 (VAS); SCORAD index was
18.0
±
7.5. After carbamazepine treatment, the respective indexes were: VAS—1.64
±
0.88; SCORAD
index—5.1 ±2.0 [20,21].
Thus, among the seven psychotropics analysed, carbamazepine was the most studied analgesic
drug, mainly in trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy (Table 1). Moreover, it seems to be the
least controversial: all the described clinical trials state its effectiveness confidently. In our studies,
carbamazepine also showed the highest analgesic efficacy for patients with CRF. Among the published
studies on carbamazepine, the trials [
218
,
221
] were the most extensive, with 143 and 452 patients,
respectively. It is quite upsetting that the authors did not publish separate results for male and female
patients. In our study, carbamazepine turned out to be a little more effective for men (Table 4), but
it would be great to confirm or disprove this result in a bigger group of patients. As an antipruritic
agent, according to our study, the drug is much more effective in men than in women (Table 4),
and again, we cannot compare the result with other papers because a lack of published data. The
disadvantage of carbamazepine is that it has a weaker anti-depressive and anxiolytic effect than
mianserin and tianeptine. The reduction of depression and anxiety in carbamazepine therapy was
by 18.9–31.1% (Table 4), whereas mianserin was the most effective for men (reduction of depression
and anxiety by 74.4% and 71.4%, respectively) and tianeptine was the most effective for women
(reduction of depression and anxiety by 52.2% and 48.3%, respectively) [
9
]. With respect to adverse
effects, there were withdrawals and dropouts due to the following side effects: giddiness, rash, and
sleeplessness [217,218,220] (Table 1).
Table 4.
Reduction of pain and itching syndromes, depression and anxiety in the process of
carbamazepine treatment in eleven patients with chronic renal failure in chronic haemodialysis [21].
Patients Pain Itch Depression Anxiety
men 76.1% 84.0% 20.9% 31.1%
women 63.1% 44.0% 18.9% 30.0%
3.4.3. Carbamazepine. Interaction with the Receptors
The mechanisms of interaction of carbamazepine with the glutamatergic system are not fully
understood. Some studies have found that carbamazepine affects the signalling pathways that involve
NMDARs [
225
–
227
]. This data does not exclude the fact that carbamazepine can interact directly
with NMDARs. However, our electrophysiological measurements showed that carbamazepine in
therapeutically relevant concentrations does not inhibit either NMDARs or AMPARs [23].
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 24 of 49
The ability of carbamazepine to block voltage-dependent sodium channels has been shown
in many papers at the end of the last century [
228
–
231
]. Currently, a lot of studies are focused
on determining the mechanism of this blockade. Thus, in [
232
] it was shown that carbamazepine
inhibits Nav1.7 channels by external, but not internal, application in whole-cell recording. In the
“inside-out” configuration, carbamazepine inhibits only from the inside of the membrane. A similar
result was obtained for the local anaesthetic lidocaine. The data obtained indicated that lidocaine and
carbamazepine have similar penetration routes to the binding site, and the binding site itself is located
on the inner side of the membrane.
In the work [
233
] in guinea pig hippocampal slices, a condition of epilepsy was caused using three
different agents: low level of magnesium, caffeine, and penicillin. Then paroxysmal depolarisation
shifts were measured in sections with and without added carbamazepine. It turned out that
the effect of carbamazepine on paroxysmal depolarising changes has the same characteristics as
calcium channel blockers. The authors suggested that carbamazepine can block calcium channels.
Later on in the work [
234
], the effects of three anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine and
gabapentin) on voltage-dependent calcium channels of L-, N- and P-type (high voltage activated
calcium channel) were studied in patients with chronic temporal epilepsy. The experiment was
performed in patients’ isolated hippocampal neurons using the method of fixing the potential in the
“whole-cell” configuration. It was shown that carbamazepine does not interact with calcium channels
in therapeutically relevant concentrations.
In the paper [
235
], it was shown that carbamazepine potentiated the flow of chlorine ions through
GABAAR, induced by GABA, in human embryonic kidney cells and in rat cortical neuron cultures
with half maximal effective concentration EC
50
=24.5 nM. At the same time, carbamazepine affected
only the GABAARs containing gamma subunits and not the recombinant receptor containing only
alpha and beta subunits. Moreover, benzodiazepines did not affect the effect of carbamazepine, which
suggests different binding sites for carbamazepine and benzodiazepines.
There is no data in the literature about the direct effect of carbamazepine on opioid receptors.
However, it has been shown that opioid receptor ligands and carbamazepine can enhance the effects of
each other. Thus, in the work [
236
], epileptic seizures were caused by electroshock in mice and the
threshold of this seizure was measured. After that, the effect of various anticonvulsants and antagonists
of opioid receptors on the threshold was studied. Naloxone, a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist,
has been shown to enhance the anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine. In animal experiments [
237
]
and in clinical trials [
238
] carbamazepine has been shown to increase the analgesic effect of opiates in
the treatment of neuropathic pain.
In the work [
239
] in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy model, the analgesic effect
of eslicarbazepine acetate, a derivative of carbamazepine, was studied. The drug was effective for
the treatment of neuropathic pain, and the cannabinoid receptor antagonists AM251 and AM630
significantly inhibited its antinociceptive effect. The authors came to the conclusion that eslicarbazepine
acetate can interact with cannabinoid receptors. It is possible that carbamazepine, close in structure to
eslicarbazepine acetate, is also capable of this.
Ol
á
h and co-authors, using mouse fibroblast cell culture expressing rat TRPV1 channels, studied
the uptake of radioactive calcium caused by the effect of vanilloids on TRPV1 channels and the effect
of various psychotropic compounds on this uptake [
240
]. It turned out that carbamazepine does not
have a significant impact on the operation of TRPV1 channels.
We could not find published data on the effect of carbamazepine on 5-HT7 receptors, the NCX, or
histamine receptors. The information on carbamazepine pharmacological profile is summarised in
Table 2.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 25 of 49
3.5. Trazodone
3.5.1. Trazodone. Animal Models
The authors of [
241
] showed the antinociceptive effect of trazodone in mice in the hot plate
test. Moreover, addition of naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist), and metergoline (non-selective
serotonin inhibitor), reduced the antinociceptive effect of trazodone. However, lowering of trazodone
effectiveness was not observed after the addition of yohimbine (an a2-adrenergic receptor antagonist).
Administered with various opioid receptor agonists, trazodone significantly potentiated antinociception.
A small (inactive) dose of trazodone potentiated the antinociceptive effect of a selective 5-HT agonist.
Okuda and co-authors induced neuropathic pain in rats by sciatic nerve ligation [
242
]. Then three
experiments were performed: (1) hot plate test; (2) injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (neurotoxin,
used to reduce serotonin in the brain) into the dorsal raphe nucleus and medial raphe nucleus or raphe
nucleus magnus; and (3) in the third experiment, the authors tested the sedative effect of trazodone by
placing rats in an activity cage. In the experiment with the hot plate, a significant reduction of pain
syndrome was found in rats receiving trazodone compared with the control group. In the experiment
with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, significant differences were also observed between the group taking
the drug and the control group, and according to the data obtained, the authors concluded that the
neurons of the raphe nucleus magnus are the target for the analgesic action of the drug. The authors
did not find a clear sedative effect of the drug. According to their findings, trazodone reduces the
painful effect of thermal hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain induced through the descending pathways
of serotonergic neurotransmission.
The authors of [
243
] tested the analgesic effect of trazodone in a formalin test. Before the beginning
of the experiment, mice were injected with trazodone intracerebroventricularly and intrathecally. They
established the maximum effect of the drug within an hour after the injection; during the subsequent
time, the effect decreased. With the introduction of the 5-HT1 receptor antagonist, the analgesic effect
of trazodone was reduced, which led the authors to conclude that trazodone is a non-specific 5-HT1
agonist. The authors also suggested that the effect was associated with descending pathways of
serotonergic neurotransmission.
Thus, trazodone demonstrated analgesic efficacy in several experiments in rodents (Table 1).
As for itching, we could not find any published papers testing the antipruritic effect of trazodone
in animals.
3.5.2. Trazodone. Clinical Studies
Wilson and co-authors, in their study [
244
], found out that trazodone reduced or completely
relieved neuropathic pain in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the effect was achieved
faster than in treatment with TCAs. The authors suggested that this effect occurs because the drug is a
selective serotonin inhibitor.
The authors of the work [
245
] revealed in a 12-week experiment that trazodone relieved pain in
fibromyalgia insignificantly; however, it had a favourable effect on concomitant syndromes such as
morning fatigue, general fatigue, etc. The drug showed significant results in restoring normal sleep
in patients with fibromyalgia. In the second phase of the experiment, when pregabalin was added
to trazodone, there was a large improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms. In conclusion, the authors
suggested that trazodone was not suitable as monotherapy for fibromyalgia, but may be prescribed in
addition to other drugs.
Similar results were obtained in the work [
246
] devoted to study of the effectiveness of the
combined use of trazodone and pregabalin for relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Analysis of the literature did not reveal published work on the clinical trials of trazodone as an
antipruritic drug.
In our small study, the antipruritic effect of trazodone was checked in 17 patients with anxiety and
depressive disorders, which also included diffuse itching in the clinical picture. The examined patients
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 26 of 49
had no pathology of kidney or diabetes. Two patients left therapy because of stomach ache. In the
remaining 15 patients, the reduction in the severity of pruritus was gradual and reached its maximum
(up to 70%) in 2/3 of patients after 6–10 weeks of therapy. Thus, for the first time, we showed the
antipruritic efficacy of trazodone in 2/3 of patients suffering from the syndrome of diffuse itching: the
reduction was up to 70% [22].
Thus, in several clinical studies, trazodone has shown its effectiveness in reducing chronic
pain (fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy) and diffuse itching (Table 1). However, there were
withdrawals and dropouts due to the following side effects: dizziness, headache, tachycardia, stomach
ache [22,244–246].
3.5.3. Trazodone. Interaction with the Receptors
Our electrophysiological measurements showed that the anti-glutamate activity of trazodone is
very weak [23].
Using the whole-cell patch-clamp method, the authors of [
247
] studied the effect of various
antidepressants, including trazodone, on the neuronal sodium channels of bovine adrenal chromaffin
cells. It was shown that, compared with TCAs, trazodone had no effect on sodium channels: 100
µ
M of
trazodone reduced the sodium current by only 19%.
The opposite result was obtained in [
248
]. The researchers studied the effect of trazodone on
potassium and sodium currents in HEK-293 cells and calcium current in human induced pluripotent
stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), using the whole-cell patch-clamp method. The results
of this study showed that trazodone inhibited the peak amplitude of SCN5A-encoded inward sodium
current in a concentration-dependent manner with IC
50
value of 11.07
±
0.09
µ
M and inhibited the
Ca2+-specific inward current peak amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner with IC
50
value of
19.05 ±0.13 µM.
Kraus and co-authors, using he whole-cell patch-clamp method in rat brain slice, showed that
trazodone induced inhibition of T-type calcium-dependent calcium channels Cav 3.1, Cav 3.2 and
Cav 3.3 in clinically relevant concentrations (IC
50
value was 23–45
µ
M) [
249
]. The experiment was
performed on recombinant human calcium channels. The result showed a weak voltage-dependence
of this inhibition. The authors concluded that trazodone inhibits calcium channels at the resting
membrane potential.
In the study [
90
], the rats were injected with antidepressants, including trazodone, during
a 7-day period. Afterwards, rodents were injected by pentylenetetrazol (GABAAR antagonist)
and beta-carboline-3-carboxylic-acid-methylester (reversible agonist of GABAAR). It was shown
that some antidepressants, including trazodone, decrease the effect of pentylenetetrazole and
beta-carboline-3-carboxylic-acid-methylester, so the authors concluded that these antidepressants
interacted with the GABAergic system.
In the work [
241
], the molecular mechanism of the antinociceptive effect of trazodone was studied
in rodents using the hot plate test. The anti-nociceptive efficacy of trazodone was suppressed by the
injection of naloxone (a non-selective antagonist of all opioid receptors), beta-funaltrexamine (a specific
antagonist of
µ
-opioid receptors), naloxonazine (a specific antagonist of
µ
-opioid receptors). However,
the efficacy was not suppressed by the administration of nor-binaltorphamine (a specific
κ
-opioid
receptor antagonist) and naltrindole (a specific
δ
-opioid receptor antagonist). The authors concluded
that the analgesic effect of trazodone may be due to its agonist effect on µ-opioid receptors.
The same study reported that the serotonergic system was also involved in the antinociceptive
effect of trazodone; the antinociceptive effect of the drug was inhibited by metergoline, a non-selective
serotonin receptor antagonist [241].
The interaction of trazodone with histamine H1 receptors of the human brain frontal cortex was
studied using the radioligand binding techniques. The results of the study showed that trazodone
could be a potent receptor antagonist with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 350 ±60 nM [250].
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 27 of 49
No effects of trazodone on cannabinoid receptors, the NCX, and TRP channels have been reported
in the literature. The information on trazodone pharmacological profile is summarised in Table 2.
3.6. Chlorprothixene
3.6.1. Chlorprothixene. Animal Models
Surprisingly, the analysis of the data reported in the literature did not reveal any studies on the
analgesic and antipruritic effects of chlorprothixene in animal models. However, chlorprothixene is
used in many experiments as a component of anaesthesia for animals [251,252].
3.6.2. Chlorprothixene. Clinical Studies
The paper [
253
] describes the effectiveness of chlorprothixene in patients with meralgia
paresthetica at a dosage of 100 mg/day in combination with methylprednisolone sodium succinate and
procaine injections.
The clinical trial described in [
254
] involved 30 patients with postherpetic neuralgia; 5 of them
had severe neuralgia, and the remaining 25 had moderately severe neuralgia. For the patients with
moderately severe cases, the dosage was 50 mg every 6 h orally. The other 5 patients took the same
50 mg orally and then received a 100 mg injection of chlorprothixene intramuscularly. After taking the
drug, 5 patients with severe neuralgia experienced relief in the first 24 h. In the group with moderate
severity, total relief was experienced in the 24–72 h after starting the administration.
In 1978, the effect of chlorprothixene on postherpetic neuralgia was tested in two double-blinded
studies [
255
]. The first study showed that only 4 of 17 patients experienced pain relief with a low dosage
of chlorprothixene (50 mg per day, then a several days’ break, followed by 50 mg 2–3 times per day).
After increasing dosages up to 250 mg per day, the patients had not experienced any improvements.
Only 4 of them noticed a slight decrease of pain (2 patients with postherpetic neuralgia, 1 patient
with thalamic syndrome and 1 patient with phantom pain after amputation). In the second study, a
dosage of 50 mg every 6 h was used. With prolonged use, 7 of 22 patients reported a pain reduction by
75–100%, 9 patients did not notice any effect of the therapy, and the remaining 5 had a pain reduction
by 50%. However, with long-term therapy and an increased dosage, some patients had side effects.
The author concluded that in small doses, the drug was ineffective. With a higher dosage, a reduction
in pain occurs in a third of patients, but the risk of serious side effects increases.
According to the results obtained in [
256
], patients with postherpetic pain showed a good
response to chlorprothixene therapy and pain reduction at a dosage of 50 to 100 mg 4 times per day.
Also, pain decrease was observed in patients with acute herpetic pain. However, in patients with
post-laminectomy arachnoiditis, no improvement was observed. Summing up the study, the authors
concluded that the drug was effective for herpetic and postherpetic neuralgia, but not very effective for
pain associated with disorders of the central nerves of the spinal cord.
Since the last study was published in 1981, it seems that chlorprothixene as an analgesic drug
has been forgotten. As for itching, analysis of the literature did not reveal any published work on the
clinical trials of chlorprothixene as an antipruritic drug.
Our study showed the effectiveness of chlorprothixene for the treatment of chronic pruritus [
22
].
The study included 12 patients aged from 20 to 78 years: 4 men and 8 women with mood disorders
and spontaneous diffuse itching, who were not satisfied by trazodone monotherapy (described in
Section 3.5.2). For this group of patients, a new combination of therapy was tested based on the use
of trazodone and chlorprothixene at a dosage of 15 mg per day. Before the start of chlorprothixene
administration, the average intensity of itching in the group on the visual analogue scale (VAS) was
5.7 ±2.0 points. The condition of the patients was checked within a week, and again after 4 weeks of
therapy. In the first week of therapy, itching decreased to 4.5
±
1.0 points on the VAS scale. A month
later, the itching disappeared completely in all the studied patients, regardless of their age, sex and
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 28 of 49
concomitant diseases. Thus, we proposed a universal antipruritic therapy for patients with diffuse
itching associated with mood disorders and, hopefully, have given chlorprothixene a second chance.
In conclusion, chlorprothixene has shown its effectiveness in reducing chronic pain and itching
in several clinical studies (Table 1). There were withdrawals and dropouts due to the following side
effects: psychical abnormalities, drowsiness, and vertigo [254–256].
3.6.3. Chlorprothixene. Interaction with the Receptors
Our own electrophysiological experiments showed that chlorprothixene was able to inhibit
NMDAR, with IC
50
=2.5
±
0.6
µ
M and a Hill coefficient equal to 1.3
±
0.2 at
−
80 mV holding voltage
in the absence of magnesium in extracellular solution (Figure 3A). It had rather slow washout kinetics;
the weighted time constant T from for double-exponential fitting was 35
±
11 s (Figure 3B). The
inhibition by chlorprothixene was strongly voltage-dependent, z
δ
=0.9
±
0.2 according to Woodhull
model (Figure 3C). Thus, its binding site is presumably located deep in the channel pore. In addition,
inhibition by chlorprothixene was characterised by partial trapping (Figure 3D). All in all, its action on
NMDAR resembled that of the structurally similar chlorpromazine, described by us previously [19].
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 15 of 49
Figure 3. Action of chlorprothixene on NMDAR currents in isolated Wistar rat hippocampal CA1
pyramidal neurons. (A) Concentration dependence of action of chlorprothixene at −80 mV holding
voltage in the absence of magnesium in extracellular solution was fitted by Hill equation. NMDAR
currents were induced by 100 µM NMDA + 10 µM glycine. IC50 = 2.5 ± 0.6 µM and Hill coefficient =
1.3 ± 0.2. (B) Washout kinetics of chlorprothixene in the presence of agonists, weighted time
constant from double-exponential fitting τ = 35 ± 11 s. (C) Voltage dependence of action of
chlorprothixene fitted by Woodhull model. Δ = 0.9 ± 0.2, suggesting a binding site deep in the
channel pore. (D) Chlorprothixene demonstrates partial trapping in the double-pulse protocol at −80
mV holding voltage.
Using the electrophysiological methods (5 Hz train protocol), a group of Hungarian scientists
demonstrated that chlorprothixene can inhibit voltage-dependent sodium channels Nav1.2 in
human HEK-293 cells with IC50 = 43 µM [198].
The papers [257] and [258] describe S-TBPS, which is the radioactive ligand that binds within
the pore of the GABAAR channel (at picrotoxin binding site). GABA inhibits the binding of S-TBPS
to the GABAAR, but some antipsychotics, including chlorprothixene, eliminate this inhibitory
binding. Based on this result, the researchers concluded that these antipsychotics, including
chlorprothixene, block GABAARs by binding within the channel pore. However, such an
interaction cannot be associated with the antinociceptive effect of chlorprothixene, since the
analgesic drugs acting through the GABAergic system are agonists but not blockers of this receptor.
The authors of [259] studied the interaction of antipsychotics, including chlorprothixene, with
rat 5-HT7 receptors expressed in the COS-7 cell line. Atypical antipsychotics, including
chlorprothixene, were shown to bind to the 5-HT7 receptors with high affinity. However, it is not
discussed in the paper whether chlorprothixene acted as an agonist or antagonist. Since
chlorprothixene is an antagonist of some other types of serotonin receptors [260], we assume that it
was an antagonist. Therefore, this interaction cannot be associated with the antinociceptive effect of
Figure 3.
Action of chlorprothixene on NMDAR currents in isolated Wistar rat hippocampal
CA1 pyramidal neurons. (
A
) Concentration dependence of action of chlorprothixene at
−
80 mV
holding voltage in the absence of magnesium in extracellular solution was fitted by Hill equation.
NMDAR currents were induced by 100
µ
M NMDA +10
µ
M glycine. IC
50
=2.5
±
0.6
µ
M and Hill
coefficient =1.3
±
0.2. (
B
) Washout kinetics of chlorprothixene in the presence of agonists, weighted
time constant from double-exponential fitting
τ
=35
±
11 s. (
C
) Voltage dependence of action of
chlorprothixene fitted by Woodhull model.
∆
=0.9
±
0.2, suggesting a binding site deep in the channel
pore. (
D
) Chlorprothixene demonstrates partial trapping in the double-pulse protocol at
−
80 mV
holding voltage.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 29 of 49
Using the electrophysiological methods (5 Hz train protocol), a group of Hungarian scientists
demonstrated that chlorprothixene can inhibit voltage-dependent sodium channels Nav1.2 in human
HEK-293 cells with IC50 =43 µM [198].
The papers [
257
,
258
] describe S-TBPS, which is the radioactive ligand that binds within the pore
of the GABAAR channel (at picrotoxin binding site). GABA inhibits the binding of S-TBPS to the
GABAAR, but some antipsychotics, including chlorprothixene, eliminate this inhibitory binding. Based
on this result, the researchers concluded that these antipsychotics, including chlorprothixene, block
GABAARs by binding within the channel pore. However, such an interaction cannot be associated with
the antinociceptive effect of chlorprothixene, since the analgesic drugs acting through the GABAergic
system are agonists but not blockers of this receptor.
The authors of [
259
] studied the interaction of antipsychotics, including chlorprothixene, with rat
5-HT7 receptors expressed in the COS-7 cell line. Atypical antipsychotics, including chlorprothixene,
were shown to bind to the 5-HT7 receptors with high affinity. However, it is not discussed in the paper
whether chlorprothixene acted as an agonist or antagonist. Since chlorprothixene is an antagonist
of some other types of serotonin receptors [
260
], we assume that it was an antagonist. Therefore,
this interaction cannot be associated with the antinociceptive effect of chlorprothixene, because the
analgesic drugs that act through the serotonergic system are agonists, not blockers of these receptors.
It was shown in human histamine receptors expressed in the CHO cells that chlorprothixene is an
effective antagonist of H1 receptors with an inhibition constant Ki =4 nM [261].
There is indirect evidence that chlorprothixene can interact with TRP channels. Capsaicin is often
used in experiments for potentiation of mechanical and thermal allodynia and hyperalgesia. Capsaicin
binds to TRPV1 channels, activates them, sodium and calcium ions pass through the channels, and a
nerve impulse is triggered. Resiniferatoxin is a capsaicin analogue with even greater activity against
TRPV1 channels. Acs and co-authors studied the binding of radioactively labelled resiniferatoxin to
TRPV1 channels and the effect of TCAs and phenothiazine-like antipsychotics on this binding [
262
].
Chlorprothixene was not studied, but chlorpromazine and cis-thiothixene, which are quite similar to
it in structure and function, were. According to the data obtained, all studied drugs bind to TRPV1
channels at an allosteric site, different from the binding site of resiniferatoxin, and modulate the
binding efficiency of the latter. Therefore, it is possible that chlorprothixene can also interact with the
TRPV1 channel.
According to the literature, the effect of chlorprothixene on AMPA- receptors, calcium channels,
opioid receptors, cannabinoid receptors, and the NCX has not been studied. The information on
chlorprothixene pharmacological profile is summarised in Table 2.
3.7. Venlafaxine
3.7.1. Venlafaxine. Animal Models
In the study [
263
] the antihyperalgesic effect of venlafaxine was tested in the CCI model in
rats. Injured and control animals received a single (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) or repeated (2.5, 5 and
10 mg/kg) subcutaneous injection of the drug. Using the hind paw pressure method, it was shown
that venlafaxine has a dose-dependent effect. In a group of animals, who were injected repeatedly, the
antinociceptive effect of venlafaxine was observed both in injured and healthy rats. To test whether the
opioidergic system was involved in the antihyperalgesic effect of venlafaxine, naloxone was injected
in mononeuropathic rats and did not inhibit the effect of continuous (5
×
10 mg) administration of
the antidepressant. The antihyperalgesic effect was reversed by intraperitoneal administration of
noradrenaline and serotonin synthesis inhibitors. These findings confirmed venlafaxine’s mechanism
of action, but also showed the involvement of the monoaminergic system in chronic pain models.
The authors of [
264
] studied an antinociceptive effect of venlafaxine in rats with
carrageenan-induced pain and inflammation. It was shown that it reduced mechanical hyperalgesia; a
high dose of the drug was effective at each time point, and low doses were effective for up to 24 h.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 30 of 49
Moreover, venlafaxine was shown to have anti-inflammatory potential: 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of
the drug inhibited oedema formation, while 25 mg/kg did not. Similar results were obtained in [
265
].
The anti-inflammatory effect of venlafaxine in the rat model of carrageenan-induced paw oedema
was studied. It was shown that intraperitoneal and intracerebroventricular administration of the
drug inhibited paw oedema, reduced myeloperoxidase activity, and decreased interleukin (IL)-1
β
and
tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-αproduction.
In [
266
], the dose-dependent (40, 60 and 80 mg/kg) reduction of mechanical hypersensitivity
induced by SNI in adult rats was shown. The same results were observed with gabapentin treatment (60,
100 and 200 mg/kg). When these two drugs were combined and injected together, gabapentin improved
the antinociceptive effect of the antidepressant in dosage 60 mg/kg. Such combined administration did
not have any effect on gabapentin effect with the same dose. At the same time, the authors suggested
that co-administration of these two drugs would have an additive-like effect, but further investigation
needs to be done.
In the study [
267
], the antinociceptive effects of venlafaxine on heat hyperalgesia in the CCI model
in rats was established. An interesting finding was that this effect was observed in both cases: (i) when
the drug (10 and 20 mg/kg) was administrated daily for eleven days from the first day after injury, and
(ii) when treatment (20 mg/kg) started at the eleventh day and continued until the twenty-first day
after injury. Venlafaxine had no effect on cold and mechanical allodynia. Administration of yohimbine
led to the attenuation of the antidepressant’s antinociceptive effect on heat hyperalgesia. The authors
suggested involvement of α2-adrenergic receptors in the venlafaxine anti-pain effect.
Intriguing results were obtained by the authors of [
268
] in their experiments testing the effectiveness
of venlafaxine in morphine tolerated mice. The drug (5 or 40 mg/kg) was injected prior to morphine
administration, and a hot plate test was performed four days later. According to the data, venlafaxine
prevented tolerance to high doses of morphine. Moreover, in these mice, the antidepressant inhibited
the processes of oxidative stress and this effect was incremented by N(
ω
)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester
and aminoguanidine hydrochloride—the NO synthesis inhibitors. This data suggests that the drug
attenuates neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain of morphine-tolerant mice. The authors
speculate that venlafaxine might be a supplemental drug to restore the morphine analgesic effect. Similar
findings had been published earlier in [
269
], where the authors showed that venlafaxine (10 mg/kg)
increased the anti-pain effect of morphine (5 mg/kg) in rats with induced diabetic neuropathy. However,
chronic prolonged administration of the antidepressant decreases this effect of morphine. When rats
were pretreated with naloxone, yohimbine (an
α
2-adrenoceptor antagonist), or p-chloroamphetamine
(a neurotoxin that negatively affects serotoninergic neurons), an antinociceptive effect of venlafaxine
and morphine administration was blocked.
3.7.2. Venlafaxine. Clinical Studies
Rowbotham and co-authors [
270
] tested the efficacy of venlafaxine in a double-blind,
placebo-controlled study in patients with diabetic neuropathic pain. 245 patients took part in this trial:
99 females and 145 males, with type I or type II diabetes, suffering from peripheral neuropathic pain.
Patients were randomly divided into a group who received a placebo (n =81), a group who received
venlafaxine with a dose of 75 mg (n =81) and a third group who took 150–225 mg of the drug (n =82).
The results of this 6 weeks study demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction of neuropathic pain in
participants. It was suggested in earlier works that venlafaxine in lower doses affected serotonin
reuptake, and when increasing the dose, it acted on norepinephrine reuptake as well. However, the
question as to whether the analgesic effect of the drug was due to its action on norepinephrine or its
balanced influence on both norepinephrine and serotoninergic systems still needs to be investigated. It
has also been reported that side effects ranging from mild to moderate severity occurred during the
treatment course. The effectiveness of venlafaxine was shown in [
271
] in a randomised, parallel-group,
double-blind, double-dummy clinical trial in 66 patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 31 of 49
Regarding inflammatory pain, Piletz and co-authors reported concave significant associations
between pro-inflammatory biomarkers (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-
α
, interleukin (IL)-1
β
, and
monocyte chemotactic protein-1) and plasma levels of venlafaxine in patients with a major depressive
disorder [272].
Lee et al. in 2010 investigated the effect of venlafaxine with a dosage of 75 mg/day in males with
functional non-cardiac chest pain [
273
]. The study was a two-treatment, two-period, two-sequence
crossover trial. After 4 weeks of treatment, more than a half of participants had improved pain scores
without serious side effects. The authors suggested that the drug decreased visceral hyperalgesia by
effecting serotoninergic transmission. Despite the positive results, this study had limitations: the low
number (n =43) and young age of participants.
A comparative, double-blind clinical trial with venlafaxine, carbamazepine, and pregabalin was
made by Razazian and co-authors [
274
]. The patients (females, n =257) suffering from painful diabetic
neuropathy were randomly divided into three groups according to the prescribed drug, while the
placebo group wasn’t included. During treatment, the dosage of each drug increased after the first
week: carbamazepine from 100 mg to 200 mg every 12 h; venlafaxine from 75 mg to 150 mg daily;
pregabalin from 75 mg daily up to 75 mg every twelve hours. Interestingly, patients were also allowed
to take acetaminophen not more than 4 g/day. According to the results, all three drugs were effective in
pain reduction: pregabalin and venlafaxine in 75 mg twice a day and carbamazepine in 200 mg twice a
day, but pregabalin was the most effective. At the same time, in this group, reports of side effects such
as dizziness and somnolence were more frequent than in groups with venlafaxine and carbamazepine.
The authors of both [
271
,
274
] noted the maximum decrease in pain in the second week of
venlafaxine treatment, while in [
274
], the dosage was three times lower—25 mg/twice a day. This
diversity may be due to different populations taking a part in trials.
A comprehensive Cochrane review of venlafaxine efficacy in neuropathic pain was published by
Gallagher and colleagues in 2015 [
275
]. The authors analysed the results of the drug pain treatment of
six randomised, double-blind trials. They pointed out that this work’s results were unconvincing due
to methodological limitations, and the side effects of venlafaxine reported in some reviewed studies.
They concluded that the drug had no particular benefits over existing treatments for neuropathic pain.
The authors of [
276
] tested the effects of venlafaxine and duloxetine on chemotherapy-induced
peripheral neuropathy in a double-blind clinical trial. The patients (n =152) with cancer that were
receiving and had developed chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy were randomly divided
into three pharmacotherapy groups, treated with venlafaxine, duloxetine and placebo, respectively,
with 52 patients in each group. The doses of venlafaxine (capsules of 37.5 mg) and duloxetine (capsules
of 30 mg) were determined once daily. The study continued for four weeks. In the venlafaxine and
duloxetine groups, but not in the placebo group, cranial neuropathy grade, sensory neuropathy and
neuropathic pain grade decreased significantly by the end of the study period. However, this reduction
was more considerable in the duloxetine group compared to venlafaxine group. The authors concluded
that because of the high cost of duloxetine, venlafaxine could be considered as the first-line medicine
in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and in case of no response,
duloxetine can be used.
Thus, in several clinical studies, venlafaxine has shown its effectiveness in reducing chronic pain
(predominantly in diabetic neuropathy). As for itching, we could not find any published trials on the
antipruritic effect of venlafaxine. The following adverse effects of the drug were reported: nausea,
somnolence, headache, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and dizziness [270,273,274,276].
3.7.3. Venlafaxine. Interaction with the Receptors
With the help of extrinsic fluorescence quenching, it was demonstrated that venlafaxine is able to
bind to the extracellular S1S2 domain of the NR1-1b subunit of the NMDA receptor, but not in clinically
relevant concentrations [
277
]. It was shown that venlafaxine takes part in maintaining NMDA receptors,
and upregulating Grin2a and Grin2b expression [
278
,
279
]. Venlafaxine treatment upregulated GRIA3
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 32 of 49
gene (glutamate receptor AMPA 3) [
279
]. These findings point to the involvement of the glutamatergic
system in the antidepressant effect of the drug, and the analgesic effect of venlafaxine is probably not
connected with anti-glutamate activity.
Using the patch-clamp technique, the authors of [
280
] showed in isolated guinea pigs’ ventricular
myocytes that venlafaxine inhibits peak I(Na) in a concentration-dependent manner, with an estimated
IC
50
of 8
µ
M. Moreover, according to these results, venlafaxine binds to the resting state of the channel,
while most tricyclic antidepressants bind to the inactivated state.
In the paper [
281
], the antinociceptive effect of venlafaxine was measured in mice by the hot plate
test. Venlafaxine induced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect, which was abolished by naloxone,
norbinaltorphimine (
κ
-opioid receptor antagonist) and naltrindole (
δ
-opioid receptor antagonist), but
not by beta-funaltrexamine (
µ
-opioid receptor antagonist). The authors suggested the involvement
of
κ
- and
δ
-opioid mechanisms in an analgesic action of venlafaxine. A similar result was described
in [
282
]: the antinociceptive effect of venlafaxine measured in mice by the tail flick test was antagonised
by naloxone. The authors of [
263
] obtained the opposite data. Venlafaxine was shown to have the
anti-hyperalgesic action in diabetic rats with the paw pressure test. This effect was not reversed by
naloxone, which means that it does not involve the endogenous opioid system.
According to [
283
], venlafaxine was not able to bind with 5-HT7 receptors in clinically
relevant concentrations. Venlafaxine is reported to have no obvious affinity towards histamine
receptors [284,285].
The effect of venlafaxine on TRP channels has not been studied yet. However, the authors of [
286
]
showed with the help of the patch-clamp technique that tramadol (another SNRI, whose structure
is similar to venlafaxine) selectively inhibits the function of TRPA1, but not that of TRPV1 receptors,
and that TRPA1 may play a role in the analgesic effects of the drug. Therefore, it may be possible that
venlafaxine is also able to affect TRP channels.
We did not find any published data on the effect of venlafaxine on calcium channels, GABAAR,
the NCX or cannabinoid receptors. The information regarding the venlafaxine pharmacological profile
is summarised in Table 2.
4. Discussion
Having compared the data on the analgesic/antipruritic efficacy of drugs (Table 1) and their
pharmacological profile (Table 2), we have made some observations and gathered them in Table 5.
The voltage-dependent sodium channels involved in nociception (Nav1.7, Nav1.8 and Nav1.9)
are predominantly expressed in the PNS: in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the trigeminal
ganglion [
287
]. Their role in PNS disorders has been proved [
288
,
289
]. Therefore, as expected, the
drugs that are able to block these types of sodium channels are effective in the management of pain
caused by peripheral nerve injury (Table 5). Therefore, trazodone, chlorprothixene, carbamazepine,
venlafaxine are effective in diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia in humans, and mianserin
is effective in diabetic neuropathy in animal models. At the same time, these drugs are able to reduce
the ion current through voltage-dependent sodium channels. Citalopram, on the one hand, is a weak
inhibitor of Nav1.8 (IC
50
=100
µ
M). On the other hand, it provides slight pain relief in diabetic
neuropathy. We don’t believe that it can be excluded that modulation of sodium current by citalopram
contributes to its antinociceptive effect in diabetic neuropathy.
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 33 of 49
Table 5.
Proposed relationships between pharmacological profiles and analgesic/antipruritic effect of
the psychotropic drugs studied.
Drugs Receptors Type of Analgesic/Antipruritic Effect
(Animal Models or/and Clinical Studies)
Trazodone
chlorprothixene
carbamazepine
mianserin
voltage-dependent sodium
channels in the peripheral nervous
system
diabetic neuropathy,
postherpetic neuralgia
citalopram
mianserin
trazodone
venlafaxine
cannabinoid or opioid receptors supraspinal analgesia
mianserin κ-opioid receptors sex-dependent analgesia
tianeptine µ-opioid receptors sex-independent analgesia
tianeptine
citalopram
trazodone
venlafaxine
carbamazepine
no similarities in pharmacological
profiles found
inflammatory pain/antidepressants (or has
antidepressant action)
chlorprothixene histamine receptors +possible
TRP channel * sex-independent antipruritic action
mianserin
carbamazepine
tianeptine
no similarities in pharmacological
profiles found sex-dependent antipruritic action
* interaction with TRP channel was shown for chlorpromazine and cis-thiothixene, which are similar to
chlorprothixene in structure and function.
As was expected, the drugs modulating opioid and cannabinoid receptors have been proven to
be effective as supraspinal analgesia (Table 5). Several clinical studies and animal experiments have
shown that citalopram affects the emotional component of pain, and, according to the literature, it
interacts with the cannabinoid system. Mianserin, trazodone and venlafaxine, on the one hand, have
shown an analgesic effect in the hot plate test (when the jumps of an animal indicate the involvement
of the supraspinal component of pain behaviour). On the other hand, the effect of these drugs on
opioid receptors has been proven.
Analysis of the information collected leads us to suggest that the interaction of mianserin with the
κ
-opioid receptors makes a considerable contribution to the analgesic effect. According to the data
reported in the literature, the distribution, function and pharmacology of these receptors depend on
sex [
290
,
291
], and our clinical trials have shown that mianserin (as an analgesic drug) is much more
effective for men than for women (Tables 3and 5). Tianeptine interacts with the
µ
-opioid receptors,
and but not with the
κ
-opioid receptors. It was shown in animal models that sex has little effect on
the function of the
µ
-opioid receptors and the age of the animals has a much stronger effect [
292
].
According to our experiments, the analgesic efficacy of tianeptine is the same for men and women
(Tables 3and 5). Maybe tianeptine would have a different effect on young and elderly patients, but we
did not check this possibility.
In connection with these observations, it is important to mention that a large amount of evidence
has been accumulated so far indicating that pain pathways are different for men and for women, and
sex should be a key factor in personalised prescriptions [293].
It is interesting that almost all compounds (except carbamazepine, tianeptine and venlafaxine) are
inhibitors of histamine receptors, despite their different structures. The interaction of carbamazepine
with histamine receptors has not been studied, so it is not excluded. Perhaps the interaction of these
drugs with histamine receptors explains their antipruritic effect.
However, there are contradictions in this assumption. The anxiolytic effect of the histamine H1
receptor antagonist pyrilamine was studied in animal models [
294
]. It was found that female mice
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 34 of 49
were more susceptible to the drug than males. This is not consistent with our clinical experiments,
which showed that carbamazepine and mianserin were more effective for treating pruritus in men
than in women. Therefore, it seems that the antipruritic effect of the studied drugs is more complex
than the simple inhibition of H1 receptors (Table 5). Tianeptine is not a histamine receptor inhibitor,
and it is a more effective antipruritus drug for men too. Its antipruritic effect is apparently due to
interaction with some other targets, possibly with TRP channels. Antipsychotic chlorpromazine and
cis-thiothixene, which are quite similar to chlorprothixene in structure and function, bind to TRPV1
channels. Therefore, it is quite possible that chlorprothixene can also interact with TRPV1 channel.
On the other hand, the drug has antihistamine activity (Table 1), which means that this compound,
according to our speculation, can hit two antipruritic targets. As mentioned in Section 3.6.2, our clinical
studies showed 100% antipruritic effectiveness of low doses of chlorprothixene in combination with
trazodone in patients suffering with diffuse itching [22] (Table 5).
Experiments with animal models have shown that tianeptine, citalopram, carbamazepine,
trazodone and venlafaxine are effective against inflammatory pain caused by formalin, carrageenan
and brewer’s yeast (Tables 1and 5). Proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the development
of formalin-induced inflammatory pain in rodents [
295
,
296
]. On the other hand, many studies have
shown that depressed patients have increased production of proinflammatory cytokines [
297
–
299
].
Therefore, it cannot be discounted that the anti-inflammatory effect contributes the antidepressant
effect of tianeptine, citalopram and trazodone. Carbamazepine is not an antidepressant, but had a
slight antidepressant effect on our patients with CRF and chronic pain (Table 4). Its antidepressant
effect was shown in [300], as well.
Our analysis has revealed a huge number of “blank spots” in the mechanisms of the analgesic
and, especially, the antipruritic effects of psychotropic drugs. The interaction of psychotropics with
TRP channels, which are key players in transmitting a pruriceptive signal, has not been investigated
adequately. The antipruritic effect of the drugs has not been studied in animal models at all. Also,
we have found no explanation for the fact that, in our clinical studies, mianserin, carbamazepine and
tianeptine suppress neuropathic itching in men more effectively than in women (Table 3). Perhaps this
is somehow connected with the emotional component of itching. Or it is possible that these drugs
affect TRP channels, and TRP channels in turn have different distribution or/and functions in male and
female organisms.
The mechanisms of neuropathic pain and the analgesic effect of psychotropic drugs have been
studied much better than pruritus. However, there are still many questions; most of all, in our opinion,
regarding the role of calcium ions.
First of all, there is no clear data for some drugs with respect to their ability to inhibit calcium
channels. Secondly, the contribution of the sodium-calcium exchanger to the pharmacological profile
of psychotropic drugs has not been studied at all. Thirdly, our review describing just seven compounds
could not reveal any certain relationships between the type of their analgesic activity and their ability
to modulate calcium flux through the calcium channels. This question requires further investigation.
Having analysed the clinical data of the analgesic and antipruritic efficacy of these seven drugs,
we found that almost no-one divides patients into groups by sex and/or age, although such studies are
important for effective therapy development. We were practically the only ones who tried to analyse
the efficacy of drugs separately in men and women, and such studies on large groups of patients
are desirable.
5. Conclusions
Chronic pain/itching and mood disorders accompany each other frequently. Much information
has been obtained so far indicating that the molecular mechanisms of these pathologies overlap.
Enhancement and ordering of our knowledge of the analgesic/antipruritic action of psychotropic drugs
is an actual problem. The information will help to develop the personalised medicine and reduce
Pharmaceuticals 2019,12, 99 35 of 49
the number of prescribed drugs and side effects. There is no doubt that work on this topic requires
the continuation.
Author Contributions:
Conceptualisation, D.A.B., M.A.B., and N.N.S.; investigation, D.A.B., M.A.B., O.I.B.
and N.P.V.; data curation, O.I.B. and N.P.V.; writing—original draft preparation, D.A.B., M.A.B. and O.I.B.;
writing—review and editing, D.A.B., M.A.B. and N.N.S.; supervision, N.N.S.; funding acquisition, O.I.B. and
N.N.S.
Funding:
These studies were carried out within the State assignment AAAA-A18-118012290427-7 (chapters 1 and
2), and supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research grant 18-015-00023 (chapters 3.1–3.5, 3.7) and by
the Russian Science Foundation grant 17-74-10117 (chapter 3.6, including electrophysiological studies of the action
of chlorprothixene on NMDAR).
Acknowledgments: The authors are grateful to Brian P. Webberley for English corrections.
Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the
study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to
publish the results.
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