Venom of the giant ant Dinoponera quadriceps attenuates inflammatory pain in mouse cutaneous wound healing model

Arthropod venoms are potential sources of bioactive substances, providing tools for the validation of popular use and new drugs design. Ants belonging to the genus Dinoponera are used in the folk medicine to treat inflammatory conditions. It was previously demonstrated that the venom of the giant ant Dinoponera quadriceps (DqV), containing a mixture of polypeptides, elicit antinociceptive effect in mice models of chemical, mechanical and thermal nociception. The aim of this study was to evaluate DqV antiinflammatory and antihypernociceptive effects in a mice model of traumatic cutaneous wound. Colonies of D. quadriceps were collected in the ‘‘Serra de Maranguape’’ (State of Ceará, northeastern Brazil), a small mountain range located on the coastal zone, and the venom secreted by the ant glands was extracted with capillary tubes, further lyophilized and maintained at -20 ± 1ºC until use. Wounds were performed in the dorsum of Swiss mice. Animals received intravenous (i.v.) injection of DqV (50 µg -1kg day-1) during 3 days for evaluation of inflammatory parameters present in the wounds: hypernociception, leukocyte infiltrate, myeloperoxidase activity, nitrite nitrate-1 content. Data was tested by two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post-hoc test. DqV reduced (2.7 folds) hypernociception at 48 hours, leukocyte infiltration by 65% at 6 hours and myeloperoxidase activity by 60% at 0.5 hour after wound induction. In conclusion, the venom extracted from D. quadriceps glands attenuates inflammation and hypernociception in mice cutaneous wounds.

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The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of proteins extracted from Acacia farnesiana seeds

Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais ◽

10.1590/1983-084x/15_018 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 38-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L.S.S. LEAL ◽

R.O. SILVA ◽

T.S.L. ARAUJO ◽

V.G. SILVA ◽

A.L.R. BARBOSA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Pattern ◽

Antinociceptive Effect ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Myeloperoxidase Activity ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Hot Plate Test ◽

Acacia Farnesiana ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Analgesic Activities

ABSTRACT Seeds of Acacia farnesiana are commonly sold in the local markets of northeastern Brazil as a therapeutic agent. The present work aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of proteins obtained from A. farnesiana seeds. Five different protein fractions (albumin, globulin, prolamin, acidic and basic glutelins) were obtained and investigated for the protein pattern, the presence of hemagglutinating and proteolytic activities. The globulin fraction (GLB) was also evaluated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Globulins reduced the paw edema induced by carrageenan in a dose-dependent manner, which was accompanied by a reduction of myeloperoxidase activity (p < 0.05). Additionally, GLB reduced the neutrophil peritoneal migration induced by carrageenan. However, GLB was not able to inhibit the edema triggered by dextran. Pre-treatment with globulins reduced the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid as well as the paw licking time induced by formalin (69.1% at first phase). However, it did not produce a significant antinociceptive effect in the hot plate test (55-56 °C). Treating the GLB with heat (at 100 °C for 30 min) abolished its anti-edematogenic and hemagglutinating activities. Our results showed that seeds from A. farnesiana are a source of proteins with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

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Bioactivities of the ethanol extract from Ageratum fastigiatum branches: antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/0001-3765201620150246 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 88 (3) ◽

pp. 1471-1484

Author(s):

GLAUCIEMAR DEL-VECHIO-VIEIRA ◽

BRUNA C.S. SANTOS ◽

MARIA SILVANA ALVES ◽

AÍLSON L.A. ARAÚJO ◽

CÉLIA H. YAMAMOTO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antinociceptive Effect ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Reducing Power ◽

Ethanol Extract ◽

Immersion Test ◽

Significant Inhibition ◽

Paw Edema ◽

Hot Plate ◽

Tail Immersion ◽

Anti Inflammatory

ABSTRACT The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract from Ageratum fastigiatum branches. Phytochemical screening and total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined. The antioxidant activity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrilhydrazin (DPPH) and iron reducing power methods. The antinociceptive effect was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, hot plate and tail immersion assays; while the carrageenan-induced paw edema and pleurisy tests were performed to examine the anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation. The extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, terpenes, sterols and saponins. Expressive levels of total phenols and flavonoids and a promising antioxidant effect were quantified. At the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, the extract inhibited the writhing, reduced both phases of paw licking time and increased the reaction time on the hot plate. In the tail immersion test, the extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) caused a significant inhibition of pain. In these doses, the paw edema, exudate volume and leucocyte mobilization were significantly reduced. These results suggest that A. fastigiatum can be an active source of substances with antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, adding scientific support to the appropriate use in the Brazilian folk medicine.

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Formulation and Evaluation of Wound Healing Effect of Aqueous Herbal Cream Containing Various Extracts of Passiflora foetida Linn., Leaves

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology ◽

10.32628/ijsrst196171 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 490-499

Author(s):

Akila E ◽

C. Geetha Priya

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Chronic Wounds ◽

Soft Tissues ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

New Drugs ◽

Herbal Remedies ◽

Control Group ◽

Wound Model ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Passiflora Foetida

Wounds are a major cause of concern for the patient and clinician alike; chronic Wounds affect a large number of patients and seriously reduce their quality of life. Wound healing is the process of repair that follows injury to the skin and other soft tissues. A cream is a preparation of a medication for topical use that contains a water base. Essentially, it is a preparation of oil in water. Herbal remedies used in folk medicine provide an interesting and still largely unexplored source for the creation and development of potentially new drugs, which might help to overcome the growing problem of resistance and also the toxicity of the currently available commercial antibiotics. In this study we have formulated an Aqueous herbal cream satisfying almost all pharmaceutical parameters which shows better wound healing activity. The wound healing of effect of Aqueous Herbal cream of various extracts of leaves of Passiflora foetida L. was evaluated by incision and excision wound model. The experimental results and histopathological studies showed that Aqueous Herbal Cream of Passiflora foetida L. leaves exhibits significant wound healing property as compared to control group of animals.

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Pramipexole and tolcapone alleviate thermal and mechanical nociception in naive rats.

Folia Medica ◽

10.3897/folmed.63.e55136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 377-384

Author(s):

Anita Mihaylova ◽

Ilia Kostadinov ◽

Nina Doncheva ◽

Delian Delev ◽

Hristina Zlatanova

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽

Antinociceptive Effect ◽

Positive Control ◽

Motor Symptoms ◽

Dopaminergic Drugs ◽

Thermal Nociception ◽

Dopaminergic Neurotransmission ◽

Latent Time ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

Non Motor Symptoms

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is а neurodegenerative disorder characterized mainly by its motor symptoms. The non-motor symptoms including pain are increasingly recognized in the last few decades. Existing evidence suggests that the dopaminergic neurotransmission has an essential role in pain control. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antinociceptive effect of dopaminergic drugs pramipexole and tolcapone against chemical and thermal stimuli in naive rats. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats divided into 8 groups (n=8): saline; diclofenac 25 mg/kg body weight (bw) (positive control); pramipexole 0.5; 1 and 3 mg/kg bw; tolacapone 5; 15 and 30 mg/kg bw. Paw pressure and plantar tests were performed. Paw withdrawal pressure and latent time were measured. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 19. Results: In the paw pressure test, pramipexole, in a dose of 1 and 3 mg/kg bw and tolcapone in a dose of 30 mg/kg bw, increased significantly the latency at 1, 2, and 3 hours compared to saline (p<0.05). In the plantar test, only the highest dose of pramipexole reached significance at 3 hours compared to the control rats (p<0.05). In contrast to pramipexole the three experimental groups with tolcapone markedly increased the latent time at 1 and 3 hours compared to saline (p<0.05). Conclusions: Pramipexole and tolcapone reduce mechanical and thermal nociception in naïve rats by enhancing dopaminergic neurotransmission at both spinal and supraspinal levels. In addition, tolcapone stimulates noradrenergic mediation which may contribute to its antinociceptive effect.

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Therapeutic and Pharmaceutical Potential of Cinnamon

10.4018/978-1-6684-3546-5.ch036 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 698-710

Author(s):

Neha Mishra ◽

Rashmi Srivastava

Keyword(s):

Wide Spectrum ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Common Species ◽

New Drugs ◽

Bioactive Constituents ◽

Rheumatic Arthritis ◽

The Family ◽

Pharmacological Studies ◽

Therapeutic Properties ◽

The Himalaya

Cinnamon has been used as a spice, condiment, and aromatic plant since centuries ago. Cinnamon is a small evergreen tree belonging to the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae. There are more than 250 species of cinnamon worldwide. In India, Cinnamomum verum and Cinnamomum cassia are the most common species grown in the Himalaya region. They have been used as folk medicine for the treatment of nausea, flatulent dyspepsia, coughs, diarrhea, malaria, gastric disorder, and to alleviate pain and inflammation in rheumatic arthritis. Therapeutic properties of cinnamon are due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as p-coumaric, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and eugenol. Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol are the major active constituents responsible for its characteristic flavor, aroma, and therapeutic properties. Pharmacological studies found that it could be a promising candidate with potential for designing new drugs. This review is aimed to summarize the ethanomedicinal importance, phytochemistry, and wide spectrum of pharmacological and therapeutic applications of cinnamon.

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Amburana cearensis: Pharmacological and Neuroprotective Effects of Its Compounds

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25153394 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (15) ◽

pp. 3394

Author(s):

Juliana Helena Castro e Silva ◽

Rafael Short Ferreira ◽

Erica Patricia Pereira ◽

Suzana Braga-de-Souza ◽

Monique Marylin Alves de Almeida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Glutamate Excitotoxicity ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Therapeutic Properties ◽

Toxic Drugs ◽

Seed Extracts

Amburana cearensis A.C. Smith is an endemic tree from Northeastern Brazil used in folk medicine as teas, decocts and syrups for the treatment of various respiratory and inflammatory diseases, since therapeutic properties have been attributed to compounds from its stem bark and seeds. Numerous pharmacological properties of semi-purified extracts and isolated compounds from A. cearensis have been described in several biological systems, ranging from antimicrobial to anti-inflammatory effects. Some of these activities are attributed to coumarins and phenolic compounds, the major compounds present in A. cearensis seed extracts. Multiple lines of research demonstrate these compounds reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal death induced by glutamate excitotoxicity, events central to most neuropathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This review focuses on the botanical aspects, folk medicine use, biological effects and pharmacological activities of A. cearensis compounds and their potential as novel non-toxic drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

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Quantitative Analysis and Pharmacological Effects of Artemisia ludoviciana Aqueous Extract and Compounds

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1701201002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1934578X1701201

Author(s):

Isabel Rivero-Cruz ◽

Gerardo Anaya-Eugenio ◽

Araceli Pérez-Vásquez ◽

Ana Laura Martínez ◽

Rachel Mata

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Extract ◽

Antinociceptive Effect ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Phytochemical Analysis ◽

Hot Plate Test ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Inflammatory Phase ◽

Artemisia Ludoviciana ◽

Dose Dependent

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. (Asteraceae) is widely used in Mexican folk medicine for treating inflammation, diabetes and painful complaints. The in vivo antinociceptive, antiinflammatory and antihyperalgesic activities of an aqueous extract (AE) of the plant were investigated using well-known animal models. AE reduced the licking time in the formalin test in healthy and NA-STZ mice; the activity was better during the inflammatory phase; accordingly, it displayed significant antiinflammatory when tested at the same doses using the carrageenan-induced oedema model. AE also produced a significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the hot plate test at 100 and 316 mg/kg (p.o.). Phytochemical analysis of the non-polar fraction of AE resulted in the isolation of two major lactones [achillin (1) and dehydroleucodin (2)], which showed antiinflammatory effect, being 2 the most active at 17.7 mg/kg. A suitable analytical method was successfully developed and validated to quantify 1 and 2. Altogether, these results tend to support the medicinal uses of the plant.

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A Review of Endothelium-Dependent and -Independent Vasodilation Induced by Phytochemicals in Isolated Rat Aorta

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9090623 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 623

Author(s):

Marcela Knox ◽

Raúl Vinet ◽

Lida Fuentes ◽

Bernardo Morales ◽

José L. Martínez

Keyword(s):

Antihypertensive Effect ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Rat Aorta ◽

New Drugs ◽

Vasodilator Effect ◽

Basal Tone ◽

Functional Nature ◽

Vasodilatory Activity ◽

Contraction And Relaxation ◽

Isolated Rat

This review discusses the contribution of the use of the isolated rat aorta (IRA) as a model for the evaluation of extracts and metabolites produced by plants with a vasodilator effect in animals. This model continues to be a valuable approach for the search and development of new phytochemicals consumed as medicinal plants or foods. In most cases, the sources of phytochemicals have been used in folk medicine to treat ailments that include hypertension. In this model, the endothelium is emphasized as a key component that modulates the vessel contractility, and therefore the basal tone and blood pressure. Based on the functional nature of the model, we focused on studies that determined the endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatory activity of phytochemicals. We describe the mechanisms that account for aorta contraction and relaxation, and subsequently show the vasoactive effect of a series of phytochemicals acting as vasodilators and its endothelium dependence. We highlight information regarding the cardiovascular benefits of phytochemicals, especially their potential antihypertensive effect. On this basis, we discuss the advantages of the IRA as a predictive model to support the research and development of new drugs that may be of help in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the number one cause of death worldwide.

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Morphological, Anatomical, and Phytochemical Studies of Carlina acaulis L. Cypsela

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21239230 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (23) ◽

pp. 9230

Author(s):

Maciej Strzemski ◽

Bartosz J. Płachno ◽

Barbara Mazurek ◽

Weronika Kozłowska ◽

Ireneusz Sowa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Gas Chromatography ◽

High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Seed Weight ◽

High Performance ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Chlorogenic Acids ◽

Bioactive Substances ◽

Phytochemical Studies

Carlina acaulis L. has a long tradition of use in folk medicine. The chemical composition of the roots and green parts of the plant is quite well known. There is the lowest amount of data on the cypsela (fruit) of this plant. In this study, the microscopic structures and the chemical composition of the cypsela were investigated. Preliminary cytochemical studies of the structure of the Carlina acaulis L. cypsela showed the presence of substantial amounts of protein and lipophilic substances. The chemical composition of the cypsela was investigated using spectrophotometry, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric and fluorescence detection. The cypsela has been shown to be a rich source of macro- and microelements, vegetable oil (25%), α-tocopherol (approx. 2 g/kg of oil), protein (approx. 36% seed weight), and chlorogenic acids (approx. 22 g/kg seed weight). It also contains a complex set of volatile compounds. The C. acaulis cypsela is, therefore, a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive substances.

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Machaerium hirtum (Vell.) Stellfeld Alleviates Acute Pain and Inflammation: Potential Mechanisms of Action

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom10040590 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 590 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Juliana Agostinho Lopes ◽

Vinícius Peixoto Rodrigues ◽

Marcelo Marucci Pereira Tangerina ◽

Lucia Regina Machado da Rocha ◽

Catarine Massucato Nishijima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transient Receptor Potential ◽

Antinociceptive Effect ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Receptor Potential ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Transient Receptor Potential Channels ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Potential Channels ◽

Inflammatory Effect

Machaerium hirtum (Vell.) Stellfeld (Fabaceae) known in Brazil as “jacaranda de espinho” or “espinheira santa nativa” is a medicinal plant commonly used in folk medicine to treat ulcers, cough and diarrhea. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of hydroalcoholic extracts from M. hirtum twig (HEMh) using in vivo experimental models of nociception through the involvement of transient receptor potential channels, acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC), nitrergic, opioidergic, glutamatergic, and supraspinal pathways. Our results revealed an antinociceptive effect of HEMh mediated by the opioidergic, l-arginine-nitric oxide and glutamate systems, as well as by interactions with TRPA1/ASIC channels. The anti-inflammatory effect of HEMh evaluated with a xylene-induced ear edema and by the involvement of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) showed involvement of the COX pathway, based on observed decreases in PGE2 levels. A phytochemical investigation of the HEMh led to the isolation of α-amyrin, β-amyrin, allantoin, apigenin-7-methoxy-6-C-β-d-glucopyranoside, and apigenin-6-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-d-xylopyranoside. In conclusion, the acute oral administration of HEMh inhibits the nociceptive behavioral response in animals through the nitrergic, opioid, glutamatergic pathways, and by inhibition of the TRPA1 and ASIC channels, without causing locomotor dysfunction. In addition, its anti-inflammatory effect is associated with the COX pathway and decreased PGE2 levels.

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