Cannabidiol prevents the development of cold and mechanical allodynia in paclitaxel-treated female C57Bl6 mice

Anesth Analg. 2011 Oct;113(4):947-50. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3182283486. Epub 2011 Jul 7.

Abstract

The taxane chemotherapeutic paclitaxel frequently produces peripheral neuropathy in humans. Rodent models to investigate mechanisms and treatments are largely restricted to male rats, whereas female mouse studies are lacking. We characterized a range of paclitaxel doses on cold and mechanical allodynia in male and female C57Bl/6 mice. Because the nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol attenuates other forms of neuropathic pain, we assessed its effect on paclitaxel-induced allodynia. Paclitaxel produced allodynia that was largely dose independent and more robust in female mice, and this effect was prevented by treatment with cannabidiol. Our preliminary findings therefore indicate that cannabidiol may prevent the development of paclitaxel-induced allodynia in mice and therefore be effective at preventing dose-limiting paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Cannabidiol / pharmacology*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Hyperalgesia / chemically induced
  • Hyperalgesia / physiopathology
  • Hyperalgesia / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Paclitaxel*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain Threshold / drug effects
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Sex Factors
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Cannabidiol
  • Paclitaxel