Ameliorative effect of imperatorin in chemically induced fibromyalgia: Role of NMDA/NFkB mediated downstream signaling.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome involving complex interplay of biogenic amines and NMDA receptor mediated hypersensitization of nociceptive pathways. Clinical management of FM is poorly addressed with only a few available therapeutic options. Coumarins are active phenolic molecules of natural origin found to have broad pharmacological activities. Current investigation explores the role of naturally occurring coumarin, imperatorin in mouse model of fibromyalgia. Administration of reserpine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) thrice at 24 h intervals induced behavioral and neurochemical alterations characteristic of fibromyalgia. Reserpine was found to induce allodynia quantified using electronic von Frey (e-VF) and pressure application measurement (PAM) test, depression as indicated by an increased duration of immobility in forced swim test (FST), decreased motor coordination and locomotor activity in inclined plane test (IPT) and open field test (OFT) respectively. Cognitive deficits were evident by an increased latency to locate hidden platform in Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance test (PAT). Reserpine treatment was found to cause an increased anxiety as revealed by increased time spent in closed arm of the elevated plus maze (EPM). Furthermore, an up- regulation in NMDA and NFκB expression in the brain and spinal cord was observed in reserpine treated groups. Administration of imperatorin (10 mg/kg, i.p) for a period of 5 days ameliorated all behavioral deficits, biochemical changes and decreased expression of NMDA and NFκB in the brain and spinal cord of treated mice. These findings indicate an interplay of NMDA/NFκB modulation by imperatorin in the reserpine induced fibromyalgia in mice.