Analgesic synergy between topical opioids and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the mouse model of thermal pain

A comprehensive painkillers screening by assessing zebrafish behaviors after caudal fin amputation

Recently, the usage of zebrafish for pain studies has increased in the past years, especially due to its robust pain-stimulated behaviors. Fin amputation has been demonstrated to induce a noxious response in zebrafish. However, based on the prior study, although lidocaine, the most used painkiller in zebrafish, has been shown to ameliorate amputated zebrafish behaviors, it still causes some prolonged effects. Therefore, alternative painkillers are always needed to improve the treatment quality of fin-amputated zebrafish. Here, the effects of several analgesics in recovering zebrafish behaviors post-fin amputation were evaluated. From the results, five painkillers were found to have potentially beneficial effects on amputated fish behaviors. Overall, these results aligned with their binding energy level to target proteins of COX-1 and COX-2. Later, based on their sub-chronic effects on zebrafish survivability, indomethacin, and diclofenac were further studied. This combination showed a prominent effect in recovering zebrafish behaviors when administered orally or through waterborne exposure, even with lower concentrations. Next, based on the ELISA in zebrafish brain tissue, although some changes were found in the treated group, no statistical differences were observed in most of the tested biomarkers. However, since heatmap clustering showed a similar pattern between biochemical and behavior endpoints, the minor changes in each biomarker may be sufficient in changing the fish behaviors.

The Effect of a Combination of Diclofenac and Methadone Applied as Gel in a Human Experimental Pain Model - A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial

Pain involves responses in which both peripheral and central mechanisms contribute to the generation of pain. Pre-clinical laboratory data have supported that a topical formulation of combined diclofenac and methadone (Diclometh) may alleviate local pain, and potentially, the side effect profile should be low. We hypothesized that antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of Diclometh could be demonstrated in a human experimental pain model and that Diclometh would be safe to administer. Thus, the aims were as follows: (i) to compare two doses of Diclometh versus placebo; and (ii) to assess the safety profile of Diclometh. The study was a crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of two doses of Diclometh gel (0.1% and 0.2%) administered topically in healthy participants. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and capsaicin intradermal injections were used as human pain models. Pressure stimulation, contact heat stimulation, hyperalgesia (pinprick stimulation) and allodynia (brush stimulation) to mechanical stimulation were performed in the area where capsaicin and NGF were injected. Side effects were recorded on a four-point Likert scale. Twenty-one men completed the study (mean age 26.14 ± 5.3). Diclometh 0.2% reduced the capsaicin-induced dynamic mechanical allodynia compared to placebo (primary end-point, p = 0.03). No other primary or secondary end-points were found significantly different (all p > 0.05). All side effects were reported as mild with no differences between treatments (p = 0.15). Indication of antiallodynic effect of Diclometh 0.2% was found. Additionally, it was demonstrated that Diclometh was safe to use.

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Mucoadhesive Film Containing Acmella oleracea Extract for Oral Mucosa Topical Anesthesia

Purpose

To develop an anesthetic mucoadhesive film containing Acmella oleracea (jambu) extract for topical use on oral mucosa.

Methods

Ethanolic extracts from aerial parts of jambu were prepared by maceration. Pigment removal was obtained by adsorption with activated carbon. Three mucoadhesive films were developed using a film casting method: 10 or 20% of crude jambu extract (10% JB and 20% JB), and 10% of crude jambu extract treated with activated carbon (10% JBC). The mucoadhesive films were characterized regarding their uniformity, thickness, pH, and spilanthol content, and their stability was evaluated during 120 days. Gas chromatography was used to quantify the amount of spilanthol. In vitro tests determined the permeation of spilanthol across pig esophageal epithelium mucosa in Franz diffusion cells. Topical anesthetic efficacy was assessed in vivo using a tail flick test in mice.

Results

The three mucoadhesive films showed physical stability and visual appearances suitable for use on oral mucosa. The permeation study revealed that the spilanthol from 10% JBC presented higher flux and permeability coefficient values, compared to 10% or 20% JB (p < 0.001). Moreover, 10% JBC showed better topical anesthetic efficacy than the other films (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Mucoadhesive film containing crude extract of jambu treated with activated carbon is a potential alternative for oral, topical use, encouraging future clinical studies.

Synthesis of pyrazoles containing benzofuran and trifluoromethyl moieties as possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

Searching for new anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, we have prepared a series of novel pyrazoles containing benzofuran and trifluoromethyl moieties. The pyrazole derivatives have been synthesized via two routes starting from 5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl azo) salicylaldehyde. The first route involved the synthesis of 2-acetylbenzofuran and then treatment with aldehydes to afford the corresponding chalcones. The cyclization of the latter chalcones with hydrazine hydrate led to the formation of new pyrazoline derivatives. The second route involved the synthesis of benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide and then treatment with formylpyrazoles, chalcones and ketene dithioacetal derivatives to afford the corresponding pyrazole derivatives. Some of the synthesized compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

Antinociceptive synergy between diclofenac and morphine after local injection into the inflamed site

BACKGROUND

Combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with opioids are frequently used to reduce opioid doses required in the clinical management of acute pain. The present study was designed to evaluate the possible antinociceptive interaction between morphine and diclofenac at peripheral level in male rats.

METHODS

Drugs were chosen based on their efficacy in the treatment of this kind of pain and as representative drugs of their respective analgesic groups. For the formalin test, 50 μ of 1% formalin solution was injected subcutaneously into the right hind paw. The interaction between morphine and diclofenac was evaluated by using isobolographic analysis and interaction index. Drug interaction was examined by administering fixed-ratio combinations of morphine-diclofenac (1 : 1 and 3 : 1) of their respective ED30 fractions.

RESULTS

Diclofenac and morphine reduced flinching behavior in a dose-dependent manner during phase 2 but not phase 1 of the formalin test. Isobolographic analysis showed a synergistic interaction for the combination of morphine and diclofenac after local peripheral administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Data suggest that the combination of morphine with diclofenac at the site of injury is synergistic and could be useful in the treatment of wounds, bruises, rheumatisms and other painful peripheral conditions associated with an inflammatory process.

Analgesic activity of some 1,2,4-triazole heterocycles clubbed with pyrazole, tetrazole, isoxazole and pyrimidine

PURPOSE

In the present study in vivo analgesic activity of some previously synthesized 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing pyrazole, tetrazole, isoxazole and pyrimidine ring have been evaluated.

METHODS

Acetic acid induced writhing method and Hot plate method has been described to study analgesic activity of some 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing pyrazole, tetrazole, isoxazole and pyrimidine as a pharmacological active lead.

RESULTS

Thirty six different derivatives containing 1,2,4-triazole ring were subjected to study their in vivo analgesic activity. Chloro, nitro and methoxy, hydroxy and bromo substituted derivatives showed excellent analgesic activity and dimethylamino, furan and phenyl substituted derivatives showed moderate analgesic activity in both of the methods. Compounds IIIa, IIId, IIIf, IIIi, IIIj, IVa, IVb, IVd, IVf, IVh, IVj IV3a and IIj were found to be superior analgesic agents after screening by Acetic acid induced writhing method. Compounds IIIb, IIId, IIIf, IIIh, IIIj, IVa, IVb, IVd, IVf, IVh, IVi, IV3c, IV3e and IIj were showed analgesic potential after screening of Hot plate method.

CONCLUSION

All tested compounds containing 1,2,4-triazole were found to be promising analgesic agents, for this activity pyrazole, tetrazole, isoxazole and pyrimidine leads might be supported.

A novel murine model for the in vivo study of transdermal drug penetration

Enhancement of the transdermal penetration of different active agents is an important research goal. Our aim was to establish a novel in vivo experimental model which provides a possibility for exact measurement of the quantity of penetrated drug. The experiments were performed on SKH-1 hairless mice. A skin fold in the dorsal region was fixed with two fenestrated titanium plates. A circular wound was made on one side of the skin fold. A metal cylinder with phosphate buffer was fixed into the window of the titanium plate. The concentration of penetrated drug was measured in the buffer. The skin fold was morphologically intact and had a healthy microcirculation. The drug appeared in the acceptor buffer after 30 min, and its concentration exhibited a continuous increase. The presence of ibuprofen was also detected in the plasma. In conclusion, this model allows an exact in vivo study of drug penetration and absorption.

Chemical conjugation of the neuropeptide kyotorphin and ibuprofen enhances brain targeting and analgesia

The pharmaceutical potential of natural analgesic peptides is mainly hampered by their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, BBB. Increasing peptide-cell membrane affinity through drug design is a promising strategy to overcome this limitation. To address this challenge, we grafted ibuprofen (IBP), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, to kyotorphin (l-Tyr-l-Arg, KTP), an analgesic neuropeptide unable to cross BBB. Two new KTP derivatives, IBP-KTP (IbKTP-OH) and IBP-KTP-amide (IbKTP-NH(2)), were synthesized and characterized for membrane interaction, analgesic activity and mechanism of action. Ibuprofen enhanced peptide-membrane interaction, endowing a specificity for anionic fluid bilayers. A direct correlation between anionic lipid affinity and analgesic effect was established, IbKTP-NH(2) being the most potent analgesic (from 25 μmol · kg(-1)). In vitro, IbKTP-NH(2) caused the biggest shift in the membrane surface charge of BBB endothelial cells, as quantified using zeta-potential dynamic light scattering. Our results suggest that IbKTP-NH(2) crosses the BBB and acts by activating both opioid dependent and independent pathways.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2008

This paper is the 31st consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2008 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration and thermoregulation (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).