Combined Acetaminophen and L-carnosine Treatment Prevented Anxiety-like Behaviour in Chronic Constriction Injury-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract Background Emotional derangement contributes to the worsening quality of life in a patient suffering from neuropathic pain (NP). Here, we report the therapeutic beneficial effects of combined acetaminophen and L-carnosine treatment in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced NP and associated comorbidities in male Wistar rats. Methods Seven experimental groups of male wistar rats were treated with normal saline, acetaminophen or acetaminophen and L-carnosine. Tail-immersion, Elevated Zero-maze, and light/dark box were used to assess pain and anxiety-like behaviours in rats. The kidney and liver were subjected to histotoxicological assessment after twenty-one days of treatments. Results Thermal hyperalgesia as well as pronounced anxiety-like behaviours were evident in CCI-induced rats. Ligated Wistar showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in time spent in the close arms and decreased time duration in open arms compared with the unligated control in zero-maze. There was a significant decrease (p > 0.05) in time duration in the lightened compartment and an increase in time duration in the dark compartment of the light and dark box in ligated rats compared with unligated rats. Treatment with acetaminophen or its combination with L-carnosine improved the anxiolytic-like comorbid and pain behaviours in ligated rats. Combined acetaminophen and L-carnosine therapy prevented hepato-and-nephrotoxicity that is characterized in rats treated with acetaminophen alone. Conclusion Hence, combined acetaminophen and L-carnosine treatment is a potential treatment for CCI pain and its comorbidities.