20 research outputs found
Evidence for the Involvement of Spinal Cord-Inhibitory and Cytokines-Modulatory Mechanisms in the Anti-Hyperalgesic Effect of Hecogenin Acetate, a Steroidal Sapogenin-Acetylated, in Mice
Hecogenin is a steroidal sapogenin largely drawn from the plants of the genus
Agave, commonly known as ‘sisal’, and is one of the important precursors used by the
pharmaceutical industry for the synthesis of steroid hormones. Hecogenin acetate (HA) is a
steroidal sapogenin-acetylated that produces antinociceptive activity. Thus, we evaluate the antihyperalgesic profile of HA in mice in inflammatory models, as well as its possible
involvement with c-fos expression on spinal cord area and cytokines to produces analgesic
profile. Acute pretreatment with HA (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg; i.p.) inhibited the development of
mechanical hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, TNF-α, dopamine and PGE2. Additionally,
the immunofluorescence data demonstrated that acute pretreatment with HA, at all doses
tested, significantly inhibited Fos-like expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn normally
observed after carrageenan-inflammation. Moreover, HA did not affect the motor
performance of the mice as tested in the Rota rod test. This antinociceptive profile seems to
be related, at least in part, to a reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as IL-1β. The
present results suggest that HA attenuates mechanical hyperalgesia by blocking the neural
transmission of pain at the spinal cord levels and by cytokines-inhibitory mechanisms
Preparation, characterization, and pharmacological activity of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor (Poaceae) leaf essential oil of B-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes
This study aimed to evaluate the orofacial antinociceptive effect of the Cymbopogon winterianus essential oil (LEO) complexed in
B-cyclodextrin (LEO-CD) and to assess the possible involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). The LEO was extracted,
chromatographed, and complexed in B-cyclodextrin. The complex was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
and thermogravimetry derivative (TG/DTG). Male Swiss mice (2-3 months) were treated with LEO-CD (50–200 mg/kg, p.o.),
vehicle (distilled water, p.o.), or standard drug (i.p.) and subjected to the orofacial nociception formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamateinduced.
After the formalin test, the animals were perfused and the brains subjected to immunofluorescence for Fos. The rota-rod
test (7 rpm/min) was carried out. Geraniol (37.57%) was the main compound of LEO. DSC and TG/DTG proved the complexation.
The orofacial nociceptive behavior was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced. The number of Fos-positive cells was significantly changed
in the dorsal raphe nucleus (p < 0.01), locus coeruleus (p < 0.001), trigeminal nucleus (p < 0.05), and trigeminal thalamic tract
(p < 0.05). LEO-CD did not cause changes in motor coordination in the rota-rod test. Thus, our results suggested that LEO-CD
has an orofacial antinociceptive profile, probably mediated by the activation of the CNS without changing the motor coordination
Evaluation of the anti-Inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the essential oil from leaves of Xylopia laevigata in experimental models
Xylopia laevigata (Annonaceae) is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine to treat pain and inflammation. Thus, we investigated
the possible antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory effects of X. laevigata leaf essential oil (EOX) in animal models. Our EOX sample showed the presence of y-muurolene (17.78%), o-cadinene (12.23%), bicyclogermacrene (7.77%), and a-copaene
(7.17%) as main compounds. EOX presented a strong antioxidant potential according to the DPPH, TBARS, and nitrite production
tests. Additionally, pretreatment with EOX, in mice, also significantly produced (p < 0.05 or p < 0.001) antinociceptive effect by reduction of nociceptive behavior (in formalin and writhing tests). The EOX showed c-Fos label in the olfactory bulb, piriform
cortex, and periaqueductal gray. Acute administration of EOX exhibited a significant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001) anti-inflammatory
profile in the carrageenan-induced peritonitis and by the carrageenan-induced hindpaw edema tests in mice. Our results provide
evidence for the use of X. laevigata by traditional medicine practitioners in the management of pain and inflammatory disorders
Abarema cochliacarpos extract decreases the inflammatory process and skeletal muscle injury induced by bothrops leucurus venom
Snakebites are a public health problem, especially in tropical countries.However, treatment with antivenomhas limited effectiveness
against venoms’ local effects. Here, we investigated the ability of Abarema cochliacarpos hydroethanolic extract (EAc) to protect
mice against injection of Bothrops leucurus venom. Swiss mice received perimuscular venom injection and were subsequently
treated orally with EAc in different doses. Treatment with EAc 100, 200, and 400mg/kg reduced the edema induced by B. leucurus
in 1%, 13%, and 39%, respectively. Although lower doses showed no antihypernociceptive effect in the Von Frey test, the higher
dose significantly reduced hyperalgesia induced by the venom. Antimyotoxic activity of EAc was also observed by microscopy
assessment, with treated muscles presenting preserved structures, decreased edema, and inflammatory infiltrate as compared to
untreated ones. Finally, on the rotarod test, the treated mice showed better motor function, once muscle fibers were preserved
and there were less edema and pain. Treated mice could stand four times more time on the rotating rod than untreated ones. Our
results have shown that EAc presented relevant activities against injection of B. leucurus venom in mice, suggesting that it can be
considered as an adjuvant in the treatment of envenomation
Cyclodextrin-complexed Ocimum basilicum leaves essential oil increases fos protein expression in the central nervous system and produce an antihyperalgesic effect in animal models for fibromyalgia
O. basilicum leaves produce essential oils (LEO) rich in monoterpenes. The
short half-life and water insolubility are limitations for LEO medical uses. β-Cyclodextrin
(β-CD) has been employed to improve the pharmacological properties of LEO. We
assessed the antihyperalgesic profile of LEO, isolated or complexed in β-CD (LEO/β-CD),
on an animal model for fibromyalgia. Behavioral tests: mice were treated every day with
either LEO/β-CD (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.), LEO (25 mg/kg, p.o.), tramadol (TRM
4 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (saline), and 60 min after treatment behavioral parameters were
assessed. Therefore, mice were evaluated for mechanical hyperalgesia (von Frey), motor
coordination (Rota-rod) and muscle strength (Grip Strength Metter) in a mice fibromyalgia
model. After 27 days, we evaluated the central nervous system (CNS) pathways involved in
the effect induced by experimental drugs through immunofluorescence protocol to Fos protein.
The differential scanning analysis (DSC), thermogravimetry/derivate thermogravimetry
(TG/DTG) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) curves indicated that the products
prepared were able to incorporate the LEO efficiently. Oral treatment with LEO or LEO-βCD,
at all doses tested, produced a significant reduction of mechanical hyperalgesia and we were
able to significantly increase Fos protein expression. Together, our results provide evidence
that LEO, isolated or complexed with β-CD, produces analgesic effects on chronic
non-inflammatory pain as fibromyalgia