Objective To observe the antidepressant effect of electro-acupuncture combined with painful plaster on bone cancer pain rats and explore its possible mechanism.

Methods The pain model of tibial cancer in rats was established and randomly divided into model group, electro-acupuncture group, pain sticker group, electro-acupuncture combined with pain sticker group, and blank group. After the model was established, corresponding intervention was given. Changes in rat behavior of the tibial cancer pain model were observed by open field test, tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Changes of monoamine neurotransmitters were detected using HPLC; changes in oxidative stress level were detected by Elisa. The expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 protein were detected by Western blot.

Results Compared with the blank group, the activity mileage, the 5-HT, NE and DA content, CAT activity and Bcl-2 expression of the rats were lower in the model group, while the motionless time, MDA and Caspase-3 expression of the rats were higher (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the activity mileage, 5-HT, NE and DA in orbitofrontal brain tissues, MDA, CAT activity and Bcl-2 expression were higher in three treatment groups, while Caspase-3 expression and the motionless time of the rats were lower (all P < 0.01).

Conclusion The depressive behavioral changes in rat model of tibial cancer pain can be improved through electroacupuncture, pain sticker and combined treatment, and its mechanism is related to relieving pain, correcting the imbalance of monoamine neurotransmitter in brain, anti-oxidative stress and alleviating the apoptosis of nerve cells.