Effect of PEA-OXA on neuropathic pain and functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush

Background: Animal models of sciatic nerve injury are commonly used to study neuropathic pain as well as axon regeneration. Inflammation/immune response at the site of nerve lesion is known to be an essential trigger of the pathological changes that have a critical impact on nerve repair and regeneration; moreover, the damage to peripheral nerve can cause a loss of sensory function and produces a persistent neuropathic pain. N-Acylethanolamines (NAEs) involve a family of lipid molecules existent in animal and plant, of which is N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) that arouses great attention owing to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective activities. The modulation of specific amidases for NAEs (and in particular NAE-hydrolyzing acid amidase NAAA, which is more selective for PEA) could be a condition to preserve its levels. Here, we investigated, in a mice model of sciatic nerve crush, the effect of 2-pentadecyl-2-oxazoline (PEA-OXA) the oxazoline of PEA that reportedly modulates activity of NAAA. Methods: In this experimental model, the mice, following the sciatic nerve crush, were treated daily with PEAOXA at a dose of 10 mgkg for 14 days. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of PEA-OXA on the degree of injury, on the inhibition of neuropathic pain, and on the inflammatory process, as in the improvement of reparative processes and therefore in the restoration of locomotor function. Results: Our results showed that PEA-OXA (10 mg/kg) treatment, daily, for 14 days after sciatic nerve crush, have an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect and moreover have an analgesic protective effect on hypersensitivity, and improve the functional recovery after nerve crush. Conclusions: Therefore, treatment with PEA-OXA as a whole has shown a protective effect, which makes it a powerful candidate for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury and neuropathic pain.