The atypical cannabinoid O-1602 increases hind paw sensitisation in the chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain

O-1602 is an atypical cannabinoid that acts as an agonist at GPR55, a g protein-coupled receptor that previous studies have indicated may have a pronociceptive role in neuropathic pain. We administered O-1602 to both naive rats and rats that had undergone chronic constriction injury surgery. O-1602 did not cause any changes in hind paw responses to Von Frey hair testing in naive rats. However, O-1602 reversed the desensitising effects of ETOH, which was used as an active and opposing vehicle. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that GPR55 has a pronociceptive role in neuropathic pain.

► We test the effect of the atypical cannabinoid O-1602 on neuropathic pain.
► We used the chronic constriction model of neuropathic pain in rats.
► O-1602 did not alter hind paw sensitivity in naïve rats.
► O-1602 reversed the antinociceptive effects of ethanol in neuropathic rats.
► O-1602 is pronociceptive in this model of neuropathic pain.