Extracts of Helleborus roots were traditionally used in the Balkan area for their analgesic action. We report that the pure natural product MCS-18 isolated from this source is a potent, specific and reversible antagonist of the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1, expressed in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. TRPV1 is a non-selective cation channel expressed in a subset of cutaneous and visceral sensory nerve endings and activated by noxious heat, acidity

Neurotrophic factors (NTFs), beside regulating neuronal survival in the central and peripheral nervous system, are also involved in the modulation of neuronal function in the adult animal. Both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels are altered in pathological pain states, and exogenous BDNF and GDNF have multiple effects on pain behavior, depending on the animal model (i.e. inflammatory

The interaction between cold sensitivity and inflammation in mammals is not entirely understood. We have used adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurones in primary culture together with calcium microfluorimetry to assess the effects of selected inflammatory mediators on cold responses of cold and menthol-sensitive (most likely TRPM8-expressing)neurones. We observed a high degree of functional co-expression of TRPM8, the receptors for the inflammatory