Shanghai Jiao Tong University | China
Prof. Yong-xiang Wang is an internationally recognized researcher in pain biology, neuropharmacology, and analgesic drug discovery, widely known for his pioneering contributions to molecular pain mechanisms, microglial signaling pathways, and therapeutic modulation of neuropathic hypersensitivity. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of spinal glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor signaling, β-endorphin–mediated analgesic pathways, dynorphin A regulation, and microglial involvement in chronic pain modulation. With 104 Scopus-indexed research documents, 3,704 citations from 2,471 citing documents, and an h-index of 39, his scientific influence is firmly established across the global pain research community. His high-impact publications in leading journals such as Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, Journal of Neuroscience, British Journal of Pharmacology, Neuropharmacology, Pharmacological Research, and Anesthesiology highlight landmark discoveries in microglial IL-10 signaling, MAPK-associated inflammatory regulation, glucocorticoid receptor–mediated analgesia, and novel analgesic compounds derived from traditional herbal medicines. His extensive research portfolio encompasses neuropathic pain mechanisms, microglial cAMP/PKA/MAPK signaling pathways, reverse pharmacology of herbal analgesics, and systematic identification of novel analgesic molecules with translational therapeutic potential. Prof. Yong-xiang Wang has contributed to innovative patents in analgesic research, and his findings continue to shape emerging strategies in neuroimmune pain modulation. In addition to his scientific contributions, he provides editorial leadership for international journals, offers extensive peer-review service, and collaborates widely across the neuropharmacology field. His work has earned notable recognition through competitive research awards, high citation visibility, and sustained impact on the development of next-generation analgesic therapeutics.
Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications
1. Ma, L., Wei, J., Deng, M. Y., Ahmad, K. A., Huang, J., Zhao, M. J., Li, X., Mao, Y., Wang, Y.-X., & Chen, J. (2025). Spinal microglial membrane glucocorticoid receptors regulate anti-hypersensitivity by stimulating dynorphin A expression. European Journal of Pharmacology, 178362.
2. Deng, M. Y., Cheng, J., Gao, N., Li, X. Y., Liu, H., & Wang, Y.-X. (2024). Dexamethasone attenuates neuropathic pain through spinal microglial expression of dynorphin A via the cAMP/PKA/p38 MAPK/CREB signaling pathway. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 119, 36–50.
3. Shoaib, R. M., Ahmad, K. A., & Wang, Y.-X. (2021). Protopanaxadiol alleviates neuropathic pain by spinal microglial dynorphin A expression following glucocorticoid receptor activation. British Journal of Pharmacology, 178(15), 2976–2997.
4. Huang, Q., Mao, X.-F., Wu, H.-Y., Liu, H., Sun, M.-L., Wang, X., & Wang, Y.-X. (2017). Cynandione A attenuates neuropathic pain through p38β MAPK-mediated spinal microglial expression of β-endorphin. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 62, 64–77.
5. Xu, M., Wu, H.-Y., Liu, H., Gong, N., Wang, Y.-R., & Wang, Y.-X. (2017). Morroniside, a secoiridoid glycoside from Cornus officinalis, attenuates neuropathic pain by activation of spinal glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology, 174, 580–590.
