Analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on chronic neuropathic pain mediated by P2X3 receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

► Apply patch clamp technique to research the mechanism underlying EA analgesia. ► EA can reduce the thermal hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia in neuropathic pain rats. ► EA can decrease the expression of the P2X3 receptors in DRG neurons of rats with CCI. ► EA can inhibit the sensitization of the P2X3 receptors to ATP in rats with CCI. ► Contralateral EA is also beneficial for neuropathic pain.