Techniques: PEGylated graphene oxide nanocarriers of neuropathic pain therapeutics

PEGylated graphene oxide nanosheets could improve delivery and efficacy of neuropathic pain therapeutics. In normal mice, IV PEGylated graphene oxide nanosheets loaded with lidocaine and thalidomide - which has anti-neuropathic pain effects - released both drugs in a sustained manner and increased plasma drug concentrations over time compared with injection of free lidocaine and thalidomide. In a diabetic mouse model of neuropathic pain, the nanosheets loaded with the two drugs decreased inflammatory cytokine production and neuropathic pain compared with free lidocaine and thalidomide. Next steps include evaluating the biosafety and biocompatibility of the drug-loading system.

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