Inhibition of Spinal Oxidative Stress by Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction Attenuates the Development of Morphine Induced Tolerance and Hyperalgesia in Mice

PLoS One. 2016 May 26;11(5):e0156039. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156039. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Citrus Bergamia Risso, commonly known as Bergamot, is a fruit whose Essential Oil and Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction have numerous medicinal properties. It is also an excellent antioxidant and in this study, for the first time, its potential effect on morphine induced tolerance in mice has been investigated. Our studies revealed that development of antinociceptive tolerance to repeated doses of morphine in mice is consistently associated with increased formation of superoxide, malondialdehyde and tyrosine-nitrated proteins in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord such as the enzyme glutamine synthase. Nitration of this protein is intimately linked to inactivation of its biological function and resulting increase of glutamate levels in the spinal cord. Administration of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (5-50 mg/kg) attenuated tolerance development. This effect was accompanied by reduction of superoxide and malondialdehyde production, prevention of GS nitration, re-establishment of its activity and of glutamate levels. Our studies confirmed the main role of free radicals during the cascade of events induced by prolonged morphine treatment and the co-administration of natural derivatives antioxidant such as Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction can be an important therapeutic approach to restore opioids analgesic efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Drug Tolerance*
  • Hyperalgesia / chemically induced
  • Hyperalgesia / drug therapy*
  • Hyperalgesia / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Morphine / toxicity*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Spinal Cord / drug effects*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Oils
  • bergamot oil
  • Morphine

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from: Programma Operativo Nazionale "Ricerca e Competitività" 2007-2013 (PON "R&C") PON03PE_00078_1 to Vincenzo Mollace; Programma Operativo Nazionale "Ricerca e Competitività" 2007-2013 (PON "R&C") PON03PE_00078_2 to Vincenzo Mollace; Giovani Ricercatori GR-2010-2318370 to Carolina Muscoli. The funder provided support in the form of salaries for authors [FL, LAG, SI], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.