Mechanisms of action of topical drugs for the therapy of NP for excitatory and inhibitory effects

Mechanism of action of topical agentsReceptor ion channel enzymeTopical agent utilized in clinical practicePossible site of actionReference
Mechanism for excitatory effect of drugsVoltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs)Lidocaine, amitriptyline, doxepin, phenytoin, ambroxol, TV-45070, opioids, NSAIDs, clonidineNeurons, keratinocytes[128132]
TRPV1Capsaicin, NSAIDsNeurons, keratinocytes, immune cells[133135]
VGCCGabapentin, lidocaineNeurons, keratinocytes[136138]
NMDARKetamine, amitriptyline, diclofenacNeurons, keratinocytes, immune cells[139141]
COX-2NSAIDsNeurons, immune cells, Schwann cells[142144]
Mechanism for inhibitory effect of drugsGABARAmitriptylineNeurons, keratinocytes, immune cells[145148]
GABAARKetamine, phenytoinNeurons, keratinocytes, immune cells[149, 150]
GABABRBaclofenNeurons, keratinocytes, immune cells[151154]
α2-ARClonidineNeurons[155157]
OROpioidsNeurons, keratinocytes, immune cells[158160]
CRCannabinoidsNeurons, keratinocytes, immune cells[161163]

α2-AR: α2 adreno receptors; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; CR: cannabinoid receptors; GABAR: γ-aminobutyric acid receptors; GABAAR: γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors; TV-45070: topical sodium channel inhibitor; NMDAR: NMDA receptors; NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; OR: opioid receptors; TRPV1: transient receptor potential vanilloid 1