“Opioids do a good job controlling post-surgical pain, but they can cause constipation that can increase the chances of post-surgical complications such as adhesions. We are always looking for better options, and this study suggests that terpenes could be a novel therapeutic for post-operative pain,” said study author, John Streicher, PhD, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona, in a press release.
Terpenes are compounds that give plants their aroma and taste. Emerging studies suggest that they may offer pain relief without the psychoactive side effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). For example, previous research found that terpenes geraniol, linalool, β-caryophyllene, and α-humulene relieve chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, suggesting a potential role for the compounds as non-opioid, non-cannabinoid therapeutics.
In the current study, researchers set out to see whether the four terpenes above affect post-operative and fibromyalgia pain. To do so, they tested the terpenes on mouse models of both types of pain. After establishing pain in the mice, the researchers administered a dose of terpene and then monitored their mechanical sensitivity for over three hours.
All four terpenes ultimately delivered high levels of pain relief in mouse models of both conditions. Geraniol was found to provide the highest level of pain relief, followed by linalool, β-caryophyllene, and α-humulene.
“With fibromyalgia, there isn’t much understanding of what the pain state is, and there are not a lot of great options for treating it. Our findings show that terpenes may be a viable treatment option for fibromyalgia pain, which could potentially have a large impact and make a difference for an undertreated population,” said Streicher.
Sources: University of Arizona, Pharmacological Reports
