Traditional Chinese Medicine Modulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress for Prevention and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260569
- VernacularTitle:中医药调控内质网应激防治神经病理性疼痛的研究进展
- Author:
Fengjiao YANG
1
;
Yingye LIANG
2
;
Peng YANG
3
;
Yuling JIANG
1
;
Gangyun WANG
1
;
Yufeng HE
2
Author Information
1. Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine，Nanning 530001，China
2. The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine，Nanning 530023，China
3. Fangchenggang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Fangchenggang 538021，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
endoplasmic reticulum stress;
neuropathic pain;
research progress;
traditional Chinese medicine;
mechanism
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(17):291-300
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Neuropathic pain （NP） is a chronic pain syndrome resulting from injury， inflammation， or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system. Its pathogenesis is complex and intimately associated with peripheral sensitization and maladaptive neuroplasticity within the central nervous system. The core clinical manifestations， including spontaneous pain， allodynia， and paresthesia， severely compromise patients’ quality of life and pose substantial challenges to clinical management. Endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）， a critical cellular defense mechanism against disrupted intracellular homeostasis， is primarily initiated and modulated through three canonical branches of the unfolded protein response （UPR）： the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK） pathway， the inositol-requiring transmembrane kinase/endonuclease 1α （IRE1α） pathway， and the activating transcription factor 6 （ATF6） pathway. These signaling cascades play a pivotal role in the pathological progression of NP. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） exhibits unique advantages in the treatment of NP. Leveraging its hallmark characteristics of multi-target， multi-pathway， and holistic regulation， TCM can systematically modulate the ERS signaling network to inhibit neuronal apoptosis， attenuate neuroinflammatory infiltration， and rectify autophagic dysfunction， ultimately promoting the repair and regeneration of damaged neural tissue. This review systematically summarizes the core role of ERS in the occurrence and development of NP. It focuses on the latest research progress regarding ERS pathway modulation in NP amelioration by representative TCM interventions， including potential core bioactive components （e.g.， tanshinoneⅡA， catalpol， and formononetin）， classic and empirical compound formulas （e.g.， Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction， Compound Qiying granules， and Tangluoning）， and TCM external therapies （e.g.， electroacupuncture， moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone， and acupotomy）. Through an in-depth analysis of the functional characteristics and mechanisms of these TCM interventions， particularly their bidirectional regulation and multi-target synergy， this review aims to provide a solid theoretical foundation for further optimizing TCM-based strategies for NP prevention and treatment and to delineate future directions for clinical translation of related research achievements and targeted drug development.
