a Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China;
b Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China;
c Department of Pharmaceutical Experimental Teaching Center, College of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China;
d Shijiazhuang Xianyu Digital Biotechnology Co., Ltd., College of Software, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China;
e The Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China;
f Hebei Medical University Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Basic Medical, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China;
g Departments of Clinic Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
Funds:
This study was funded by the Key Project from the Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology, China (Grant No.: 21372601D), the Foundation Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei Medical University, China (Grant No.: 20123120019), the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, China (Grant No.: H2021206352), the Science and Technology Research Project of Colleges and Universities in Hebei Province, China (Grant No.: QN2023197), Hebei Medical University, Science and Technology, China (Grant No.: CYQD2023014), Hebei Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, China (Grant No.: B2023003034), and the Consultative Foundation from Hebei Province, China (Grant No.: 2020TXZH01). We would like to thank Professor Zhaobing Gao from Chinese Academy of Sciences, China for providing us plasmid of NaV1.6, as well as Professor Kewei Wang and Dr. Yani Liu from Qingdao University, China who provided us stable cells expressing NaV1.4 channel.
This research study focuses on addressing the limitations of current neuropathic pain (NP) treatments by developing a novel dual-target modulator, E0199, targeting both NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9 and KV7 channels, a crucial regulator in controlling NP symptoms. The objective of the study was to synthesize a compound capable of modulating these channels to alleviate NP. Through an experimental design involving both in vitro and in vivo methods, E0199 was tested for its efficacy on ion channels and its therapeutic potential in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model. The results demonstrated that E0199 significantly inhibited NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9 channels with a particularly low half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for NaV1.9 by promoting sodium channel inactivation, and also effectively increased KV7.2/7.3, KV7.2, and KV7.5 channels, excluding KV7.1 by promoting potassium channel activation. This dual action significantly reduced the excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons and alleviated pain hypersensitivity in mice at low doses, indicating a potent analgesic effect without affecting heart and skeletal muscle ion channels critically. The safety of E0199 was supported by neurobehavioral evaluations. Conclusively, E0199 represents a ground-breaking approach in NP treatment, showcasing the potential of dual-target small-molecule compounds in providing a more effective and safe therapeutic option for NP. This study introduces a promising direction for the future development of NP therapeutics.