Methylcobalamin: a potential vitamin of pain killer

Ming Zhang, Wenjuan Han, Sanjue Hu, Hui Xu, Ming Zhang, Wenjuan Han, Sanjue Hu, Hui Xu

Abstract

Methylcobalamin (MeCbl), the activated form of vitamin B12, has been used to treat some nutritional diseases and other diseases in clinic, such as Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. As an auxiliary agent, it exerts neuronal protection by promoting regeneration of injured nerves and antagonizing glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Recently several lines of evidence demonstrated that MeCbl may have potential analgesic effects in experimental and clinical studies. For example, MeCbl alleviated pain behaviors in diabetic neuropathy, low back pain and neuralgia. MeCbl improved nerve conduction, promoted the regeneration of injured nerves, and inhibited ectopic spontaneous discharges of injured primary sensory neurons. This review aims to summarize the analgesic effect and mechanisms of MeCbl at the present.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The chemical structure of MeCbl.
Figure 2
Figure 2
An anti-allodynic effect of MeCbl. MeCbl was successively received by intraperitoneal injections from the 3rd postoperative day (line segment). Bilateral paw withdrawal thresholds to von Frey filaments were decreased following a long-term application of MeCb1. (a) Ipsilateral side and (b) contralateral side. (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, multivariate analysis of variance).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Inhibitory effect of MeCbl on ectopic spontaneous discharges of dorsal root. (a) Time histogram showing that local application of the MeCbl (300 μmol/L) decreased the basal firing rate of dorsal roots. (b) Three traces in right panel show firing patterns before (A), during (B), and wash out (C) the application of MeCbl.

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Source: PubMed

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