Experimental Pain Models At Aragen Life Sciences - Spinal Nerve Ligation (SNL) Model Of Neuropathic Pain

Understanding and treating neuropathic pain remains one of the largest challenges in modern medicine. Despite decades of research, the discovery of novel analgesics has been limited, highlighting the need for better translational models in preclinical settings. This article explores Aragen’s development and pharmacological validation of the Spinal Nerve Ligation (SNL) model—an established and clinically relevant rodent model that mimics the complex sensory abnormalities seen in human neuropathic pain.

By surgically ligating specific spinal nerves in male Sprague-Dawley rats, researchers were able to induce consistent, long-lasting mechanical allodynia —a condition in which non-painful stimuli are perceived as painful. The model’s robustness was further demonstrated through dose-dependent reversal of pain symptoms following treatment with established reference compounds. With validated outcomes and reproducible behavioral responses, this SNL model serves as a powerful tool for evaluating the efficacy of novel analgesic drug candidates. Learn more about these pain models and how they are advancing the development of future pain medications.