Rutin enhances the analgesic efficacy of low-dose pregabalin without sedative side effects in a rat model of chronic constriction injury.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of rutin alone and in combination with pregabalin in a chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain model.

METHODS

The potential antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of combining rutin at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg with 3 mg/kg of pregabalin were evaluated in a rat neuropathic pain model induced by chronic constriction injury. Assessments were conducted over a 180-minute period using an electronic von Frey device and the plantar test. Spontaneous locomotor activity was evaluated using a Plexiglas activity cage.

KEY FINDINGS: All combination groups exhibited statistically significant antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects at specific time intervals compared to the groups where rutin or 3 mg/kg pregabalin were administered alone. Furthermore, the efficacy of the combinations was found to be comparable to that of the group treated with 30 mg/kg pregabalin. The 25 mg/kg rutin combination was most effective and independent of locomotor activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Given rutin's low side-effect profile and the dose-dependent risks of pregabalin, their combination at low-dose pregabalin may represent a safe and effective alternative for neuropathic pain treatment.