Analysis of the anti-allodynic effects of combination of a synthetic cannabinoid and a selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor in nerve injury-induced neuropathic mice

BackgroundCombining drugs not only reduces specific adverse effects of each of the drug at a higher dose but also may lead to enhanced efficacy. Tapentadol is a recently discovered analgesic possessing -opioid receptor agonism and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibition in a single molecule. Taking into consideration, the pharmacological similarities between opioids and cannabinoids, we assumed that combination of cannabinoids with noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors might also be effective. We therefore aimed to determine whether combining 1:1, 1:3 and 3:1 fixed ratios of the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 and the selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor maprotiline exert anti-allodynic synergy on nerve-injured neuropathic mice.