Aitongxiao improves pain symptoms of rats with cancer pain by reducing IL-1, TNF-α, and PGE2

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Aitongxiao in improving pain symptoms of rats with cancer pain. Methods: Walker 256 breast cancer cells were injected into the right tibial bone marrow cavity of normal female rats to establish a rat model of tibial cancer pain. The rats with successful model replication were randomly divided into normal group (NG), Hank solution group (HSG), cancer pain model group (CPMG), and Aitongxiao+cancer pain model group (ATX+CPMG). The pain response score, mechanical pain hindpaw withdrawal threshold, and latent heat pain of rats were evaluated, and the changes of serum IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, PGE2 and blood cell counts of rats were detected. Results: Compared with the NG, the pain response score was increased, the mechanical pain hind paw withdrawal threshold and latent heat pain were decreased, and IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and PGE2 were increased in CPMG. Compared with the CPMG, the pain response score was decreased, the mechanical pain hindpaw withdrawal threshold and latent heat pain were increased, and IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and PGE2 were decreased in ATX+CPMG. There was no significant change in blood cell count in each group. Conclusion: Aitongxiao can improve the pain symptoms of rats with tibial cancer pain. Its mechanism may be related to the reduction of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and PGE2 levels.