Sustained analgesic effect of the rho kinase inhibitor AS1892802 in rat models of chronic pain

To assess the pharmacological profile of as1892802,a novel and selective rho kinase (rock) inhibitor,we examined the effects of repeated dosing with as1892802 on models of monoiodoacetate-induced arthritis and streptozotocin-induced neuropathy. although single dosing of as1892802 exerted a short-acting,moderate analgesic effect,repeated dosing exhibited a longlasting and more potent analgesic effect in both models. furthermore,the analgesic effect was sustained for seven days after the last administration. these results suggest that peripheral rock plays a crucial role in chronic pain maintenance and that as1892802 may be useful in treating chronic pain. ©2010 the japanese pharmacological society.