Background

Vortioxetine is a novel atypical antidepressant with multimodal activity that has recently demonstrated efficacy against neuropathic pain. There is no published data about its analgesic properties in models characterized by peripheral inflammation and consequent pain pathway sensitization, nor data on its mechanism of antinociceptive action.

Objectives

To investigate vortioxetine’s antinociceptive/antihyperalgesic effects in trigeminal, visceral and somatic inflammatory pain models, and provide evidence on its mechanism of action in the modulation of trigeminal nociception.

Methods

Vortioxetine’s effects on the nociceptive behavior in orofacial formalin test (OFT) and acetic acid-writhing test in mice and on mechanical hyperalgesia in carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats were examined following peroral single administration. The involvement of serotonergic/adrenergic/cholinergic/cannabinoid/adenosine receptors was evaluated in OFT by intraperitoneally treating mice with an appropriate antagonist immediately after vortioxetine application. We used antagonists of 5-HT1B/1D serotonergic (GR 127935), α1-adrenergic (prazosin), α2-adrenergic (yohimbine), β1-adrenergic (metoprolol), muscarinic (atropine), α7 nicotinic (methyllycaconitine), CB1/CB2 cannabinoid (AM251 and AM630), and adenosine A1 (DPCPX) receptors.

Results

Vortioxetine dose-dependently reduced pain behavior in OFT and acetic acid writhing test, as well as inflammatory hyperalgesia in paw pressure test. All examined antagonists except prazosin dose-dependently inhibited vortioxetine’s antinociceptive effects. Prazosin did not produce inhibitory effect.

Conclusion

Vortioxetine exerted analgesic efficacy in trigeminal, visceral and somatic inflammatory pain. The effect is at least in part mediated by 5-HT1B/1D serotonergic, α2/β1-adrenergic, muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic, CB1/CB2 cannabinoid and adenosine A1 receptors. These findings contribute to better understanding of the analgesic effect of vortioxetine and suggest its potential usefulness for inflammatory pain treatment.