Peltatoside Isolated from Annona crassiflora Induces Peripheral Antinociception by Activation of the Cannabinoid System.

Peltatoside is a natural compound isolated from leaves of Annona crassiflora Mart., a plant widely used in folk medicine. This substance is an analogue of quercetin, a flavonoid extensively studied because of its diverse biological activities, including analgesic effects. Besides, a previous study suggested, by computer structure analyses, a possible quercetin-CB1 cannabinoid receptor interaction. Thus, the aim of this work was to assess the antinociceptive effect of peltatoside and analyze the cannabinoid system involvement in this action. The mouse paw pressure test was used and hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan (200 µg/paw). All used drugs were administered by intraplantar administration in Swiss male mice (n = 6). Peltatoside (100 µg/paw) elicited a local inhibition of hyperalgesia. The peripheral antinociceptive action of peltatoside was antagonized by the CB1 cannabinoid antagonist AM251 (160 µg/paw), but not by CB2 cannabinoid antagonist AM630 (100 µg/paw). In order to assess the role of endocannabinoids in this peripheral antinociceptive effect, we used (i) [5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z]-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenyl-methyl ester phosphonofluoridic acid, an inhibitor of anandamide amidase; (ii) JZL184, an inhibitor for monoacylglycerol lipase, the primary enzyme responsible for degrading the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol; and (iii) VDM11, an endocannabinoid reuptake inhibitor. MAFP, JZL184, and VDM11 did not induce antinociception, respectively, at the doses 0.5, 3.8, and 2.5 µg/paw, however, these three drugs were able to potentiate the peripheral antinociceptive effect of peltatoside at an intermediary dose (50 µg/paw). Our results suggest that this natural substance is capable of inducing analgesia through the activation of peripheral CB1 receptors, involving endocannabinoids in this process.

Pimaradienoic Acid Inhibits Carrageenan-Induced Inflammatory Leukocyte Recruitment and Edema in Mice: Inhibition of Oxidative Stress, Nitric Oxide and Cytokine Production.

Pimaradienoic acid (PA; ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid) is a pimarane diterpene found in plants such as Vigueira arenaria Baker (Asteraceae) in the Brazilian savannas. Although there is evidence on the analgesic and in vitro inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways, and paw edema by PA, its anti-inflammatory effect deserves further investigation. Thus, the objective of present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of PA in carrageenan-induced peritoneal and paw inflammation in mice. Firstly, we assessed the effect of PA in carrageenan-induced leukocyte recruitment in the peritoneal cavity and paw edema and myeloperoxidase activity. Next, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of PA. The effect of PA on carrageenan-induced oxidative stress in the paw skin and peritoneal cavity was assessed. We also tested the effect of PA on nitric oxide, superoxide anion, and inflammatory cytokine production in the peritoneal cavity. PA inhibited carrageenan-induced recruitment of total leukocytes and neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity in a dose-dependent manner. PA also inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and myeloperoxidase activity in the paw skin. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of PA depended on maintaining paw skin antioxidant activity as observed by the levels of reduced glutathione, ability to scavenge the ABTS cation and reduce iron as well as by the inhibition of superoxide anion and nitric oxide production in the peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, PA inhibited carrageenan-induced peritoneal production of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß. PA presents prominent anti-inflammatory effect in carrageenan-induced inflammation by reducing oxidative stress, nitric oxide, and cytokine production. Therefore, it seems to be a promising anti-inflammatory molecule that merits further investigation.

Cyane-carvone, a synthetic derivative of carvone, inhibits inflammatory response by reducing cytokine production and oxidative stress and shows antinociceptive effect in mice.

Cyane-carvone (CC) was studied to elucidate its anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant effects in Mus musculus. Anti-inflammatory (bradykinin, histamine, prostaglandin E2, serotonin, and carrageenan) and antinociceptive (acetic acid and formalin) models were utilized. Myeloperoxidase activity, interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated. Analysis of variance followed by Student-Newman-Keuls' test was done. Results were compared with control groups (significantly when p < 0.05). In bradykinin, histamine, prostaglandin E2, and serotonin tests, 75 mg/kg CC decreased significantly paw edema (t = 30, 60, 90, and/or 120 min). In carrageenan test, 50 and 75 mg/kg CC (t = 3 h and t = 4 h) and 25 mg/kg CC (t = 4 h) decreased significantly paw edema. CC (75 mg/kg) inhibited significantly mieloperoxidase activity and decreased IL-1ß and TNF-α, and all doses increased GSH levels. CC (75 mg/kg) decreased significantly the number of contortions of animals and time of licking (phase 2). CC showed anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant effects in mice.

Participation of the NO/cGMP/K+ATP pathway in the antinociception induced by Walker tumor bearing in rats

Implantation of Walker 256 tumor decreases acute systemic inflammation in rats. Inflammatory hyperalgesia is one of the most important events of acute inflammation. The L-arginine/NO/cGMP/K+ATP pathway has been proposed as the mechanism of peripheral antinociception mediated by several drugs and physical exercise. The objective of this study was to investigate a possible involvement of the NO/cGMP/K+ATP pathway in antinociception induced in Walker 256 tumor-bearing male Wistar rats (180-220 g). The groups consisted of 5-6 animals. Mechanical inflammatory hypernociception was evaluated using an electronic version of the von Frey test. Walker tumor (4th and 7th day post-implantation) reduced prostaglandin E2- (PGE2, 400 ng/paw; 50 µL; intraplantar injection) and carrageenan-induced hypernociception (500 µg/paw; 100 µL; intraplantar injection). Walker tumor-induced analgesia was reversed (99.3% for carrageenan and 77.2% for PGE2) by a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (L-NAME; 90 mg/kg, ip) and L-arginine (200 mg/kg, ip), which prevented (80% for carrageenan and 65% for PGE2) the effect of L-NAME. Treatment with the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ (100% for carrageenan and 95% for PGE2; 8 µg/paw) and the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) blocker glibenclamide (87.5% for carrageenan and 100% for PGE2; 160 µg/paw) reversed the antinociceptive effect of tumor bearing in a statistically significant manner (P < 0.05). The present study confirmed an intrinsic peripheral antinociceptive effect of Walker tumor bearing in rats. This antinociceptive effect seemed to be mediated by activation of the NO/cGMP pathway followed by the opening of KATP channels.

Participation of the NO/cGMP/K+ATP pathway in the antinociception induced by Walker tumor bearing in rats.

Implantation of Walker 256 tumor decreases acute systemic inflammation in rats. Inflammatory hyperalgesia is one of the most important events of acute inflammation. The L-arginine/NO/cGMP/K(+)ATP pathway has been proposed as the mechanism of peripheral antinociception mediated by several drugs and physical exercise. The objective of this study was to investigate a possible involvement of the NO/cGMP/K(+)ATP pathway in antinociception induced in Walker 256 tumor-bearing male Wistar rats (180-220 g). The groups consisted of 5-6 animals. Mechanical inflammatory hypernociception was evaluated using an electronic version of the von Frey test. Walker tumor (4th and 7th day post-implantation) reduced prostaglandin E(2)- (PGE(2), 400 ng/paw; 50 µL; intraplantar injection) and carrageenan-induced hypernociception (500 µg/paw; 100 µL; intraplantar injection). Walker tumor-induced analgesia was reversed (99.3% for carrageenan and 77.2% for PGE(2)) by a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (L-NAME; 90 mg/kg, ip) and L-arginine (200 mg/kg, ip), which prevented (80% for carrageenan and 65% for PGE(2)) the effect of L-NAME. Treatment with the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ (100% for carrageenan and 95% for PGE(2); 8 µg/paw) and the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel (KATP) blocker glibenclamide (87.5% for carrageenan and 100% for PGE(2); 160 µg/paw) reversed the antinociceptive effect of tumor bearing in a statistically significant manner (P < 0.05). The present study confirmed an intrinsic peripheral antinociceptive effect of Walker tumor bearing in rats. This antinociceptive effect seemed to be mediated by activation of the NO/cGMP pathway followed by the opening of KATP channels.

Inflammation mobilizes local resources to control hyperalgesia: the role of endogenous opioid peptides.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the endogenous control of nociception at a peripheral level during inflammation. Using a pharmacological approach and the rat paw pressure test, we assessed the effect of an intraplantar injection of naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, and bestatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, on hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, which mimics an inflammatory process, or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), which directly sensitizes nociceptors. Naloxone induced a significant and dose-dependent (25, 50 or 100 µg) increase in carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, but not PGE(2)-induced hyperalgesia. Bestatin (400 µg/paw) significantly counteracted carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, inducing an increase in the nociceptive threshold compared to control, but it did not modify hyperalgesia induced by PGE(2) injection into the rat paw. Positive ß-endorphin immunoreactivity was increased in paw inflammation induced by carrageenan in comparison with the control group. However, PGE(2) did not significantly alter the immunostained area. These results provide evidence for activation of the endogenous opioidergic system during inflammation and indicate that this system regulates hyperalgesia through a negative feedback mechanism, modulating it at a peripheral level.

Evidence for the involvement of endogenous ATP and P2X receptors in TMJ pain.

Evidence is accumulating which supports a role for ATP in the initiation of pain by acting on P2X receptors expressed on nociceptive afferent nerve terminals. To investigate whether these receptors play a role in temporomandibular (TMJ) pain, we studied the presence of functional P2X receptors in rat TMJ by examining the nociceptive behavioral response to the application of the selective P2X receptor agonist alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-meATP) into the TMJ region of rat. The involvement of endogenous ATP in the development of TMJ inflammatory hyperalgesia was also determined by evaluating the effect of the general P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS) on carrageenan-induced TMJ inflammatory hyperalgesia. Application of alpha,beta-meATP into the TMJ region of rats produced significant nociceptive responses that were significantly reduced by the co-application of lidocaine N-ethyl bromide quaternary salt, QX-314, (2%) or of the P2 receptor antagonist PPADS. Co-application of PPADS with carrageenan into the TMJ significantly reduced inflammatory hyperalgesia. The results indicate that functional P2X receptors are present in the TMJ and suggest that endogenous ATP may play a role in TMJ inflammatory pain mechanisms possibly by acting primarily in these receptors.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities evaluation of (-)-O-acetyl, (-)-O-methyl, (-)-O-dimethylethylamine cubebin and their preparation from (-)-cubebin.

The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the acetylated (2), methylated (3) and aminated (4) derivatives of cubebin (1), obtained by its reaction with acetic anhydride, methyl iodide and dimethylethylamine chloride, respectively, were investigated, using different animal models. The compound (2) was the most effective anti-inflammatory one in the carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats and was the only one which showed dose-response correlation for this assay with r = 0.993 and Y = 64.58x + 0.22. Besides, compounds (2) and (4) were more effective than cubebin in inhibiting acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, producing dose-response correlation with doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. Regarding the hot plate and the cell migration tests in rats, none of the four tested compounds showed activity. Overall, the results showed that the acetylation and amination of cubebin were efficient in enhancing its analgesic activity, as well as its anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of D-002 on the pre-ulcerative phase of carrageenan-induced colonic ulceration in the guinea-pig.

D-002 is a natural mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols, isolated and purified from beeswax which has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces leukotrienes (LTB4) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in exudated carrageenan-induced pleurisy, and has anti-ulcer activity in different experimental models. This study was conducted to determine the effect of D-002 on the pre-ulcerative phase of carrageenan-induced colonic ulceration in guinea-pigs. Animals were randomly distributed among a negative control, a positive control group treated with the vehicle Tween 20 in H2O and two experimental groups receiving D-002 at 25 and 50 mg kg(-1). All treated animals received degraded carrageenan for three days for induction of colonic ulceration. Significant reductions in wet weight, wall thickness, counts of infiltrating polymorphonuclear neutrophils and of macrophages, and histological index were observed in colonic mucosa of D-002-treated animals compared with controls. It is concluded that D-002 has a protective effect on the pre-ulcerative phase of carrageenan-induced colonic ulceration in the guinea-pig.

Bradykinin initiates cytokine-mediated inflammatory hyperalgesia.

1. The hyperalgesic activities in rats of bradykinin, carrageenin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were investigated in a model of mechanical hyperalgesia. 2. Bradykinin and carrageenin evoked dose-dependent hyperalgesia with maximum responses of similar magnitude to responses to LPS (1 and 5 micrograms). 3. Hoe 140, an antagonist of BK2 receptors, inhibited in a dose-dependent manner hyperalgesic responses to bradykinin, carrageenin and LPS (1 microgram) but not responses to LPS (5 micrograms), prostaglandin E2, dopamine, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8. 4. Responses to bradykinin and LPS (1 and 5 micrograms) were inhibited by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin and by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, atenolol. The effects of indomethacin and atenolol were additive: their combination abolished responses to bradykinin and LPS (1 microgram) and markedly attenuated the response to LPS (5 micrograms). 5. Antiserum neutralizing endogenous TNF alpha abolished the response to bradykinin whereas antisera neutralizing endogenous IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 each partially inhibited the response. The combination of antisera neutralizing endogenous IL-1 beta+IL-8 or IL-6+IL-8 abolished the response to bradykinin. 6. Antisera neutralizing endogenous TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 each partially inhibited responses to LPS (1 and 5 micrograms). Increasing the dose of antiserum to TNF alpha or giving a combination of antisera to IL-1 beta+IL-8 or IL-6+IL-8 further inhibited responses to LPS (1 and 5 micrograms). 7. These data show that bradykinin can initiate the cascade of cytokine release that mediates hyperalgesic responses to carrageenin and endotoxin (1 microgram). The lack of effect of Hoe 140 on hyperalgesic responses to LPS (5 microgram) suggests that the release of hyperalgesic cytokines can be initiated independently of bradykinin BK2 receptors.

Pharmacological modulation of Paf-induced rat pleurisy and its role in inflammation by zymosan.

1. The intrapleural injection of Paf-acether into rats caused, at 30 min, a marked exudation accompanied by a reduction in the pleural leucocyte count. At 6 h, the exudate volume had decreased and a significant increase in the total leucocyte count, particularly eosinophils was noted. 2. Two Paf-acether antagonists, WEB 2086 and 48740 RP abrogated the pleural leucopenia observed 30 min after Paf-acether administration, whereas the exudation was inhibited only by the former. Pleurisy was also reduced by about 60% with dexamethasone, by about 45% with BW 755C or LY 171883, a mixed cyclo-oxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor and a peptido-leukotriene antagonist respectively, and by about 30% with indomethacin, flurbiprofen or piroxicam. 3. Repeated daily intrapleural injections of Paf-acether led to a state of progressive desensitization to Paf-acether itself, whereas responsiveness to 5-hydroxytryptamine was maintained. In addition, the Paf-induced auto-desensitization was largely inhibited by WEB 2086. 4. Pleurisy induced by zymosan, but not by carrageenin, was significantly reduced in Paf-acether-desensitized animals. These results were consistent with those obtained with WEB 2086 which suppressed zymosan-induced but not carrageenin-induced pleurisy. 5. This study suggests that Paf-acether-induced pleurisy in the rat may be mediated by lipoxygenase arachidonic acid metabolites and that pleurisy induced by zymosan, but not by carrageenin, is largely dependent upon Paf-acether.