Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Emerging Role of Phytochemicals

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant dose-limiting long-term sequela in cancer patients undergoing treatment, often leading to discontinuation of treatment. No established therapy exists to prevent and/or ameliorate CIPN. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysregulation have been proposed to underlie the pathobiology of CIPN. However, interventions to prevent and treat CIPN are largely ineffective. Additional factors and mechanism-based targets need to be identified to develop novel strategies to target CIPN. The role of oxidative stress appears to be central, but the contribution of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress remains under-examined in the pathobiology of CIPN. This review describes the significance of ER stress and its contribution to CIPN, the protective role of herbal agents in countering ER stress in nervous system-associated disorders, and their possible repurposing for preventing CIPN.