Antinociceptive properties produced by the pregnane compound velutinol A isolated from Mandevilla velutina

A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Nutritional Composition, and Pharmacologic Application of Species of the Genus Viola in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)

Viola L. is the largest genus of the Violaceae family with more than 500 species across the globe. The present extensive literature survey revealed Viola species to be a group of important nutritional and medicinal plants used for the ethnomedicinal treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, asthma, lung diseases, and fatigue. Many plant species of this genus have also received scientific validation of their pharmacological activities including neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, antidyslipidemic, analgesic, antipyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, and antioxidant. Viola is highly rich in different natural products some of which have been isolated and identified in the past few decades; these include flavonoids terpenoids and phenylpropanoids of different pharmacological activities. The pharmacokinetics and clinical studies on this genus are lacking, and the present review is aimed at summarizing the current understanding of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, nutritional composition, and pharmacological profile of medicinal plants from the Viola genus to reveal its therapeutic potentials, gaps, and subsequently open a new window for future pharmacological research.

Antiosteoporotic effect of Hemidesmus indicus Linn. on ovariectomised rats

PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Root of Hemidesmus indicus (L). R. Br., an herbal drug of India is traditionally used to prevent or treat female hormonal disturbance related disorders and assuaging symptoms of menopausal conditions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Lack of scientific data for potential use in bone loss, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ethanol extract of Hemidesmus indicus root for osteoporosis in ovariectomised rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty wistar female rats were randomly divided into five groups. One group was sham operated and other four groups were undergone dorsal ovariectomy (OVX). After four weeks of post-operative recovery, three OVX groups, viz. Group1, Group2 and Group3 were treated for ninety days with standard raloxifene (RLX) 1mg/kg/day, Hemidesmus indicus root extract (HIRE) 100mg/kg/day and HIRE 200mg/kg/day respectively. Sham and OVX control groups were fed with equal 1% vehicle volume. Serum and urine biochemistry (alkaline phosphatase, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, calcium, phosphorous and hydroxyproline), weight of body, uterus and vagina, femur parameters, three point bending of tibia and fourth lumbar vertebra compression were examined. Furthermore, bone architecture and uterine hypertrophy were examined by histopathological studies.

RESULTS

Application of HIRE has increased bone strength and restored bone turnover markers such as alkaline phosphatase, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and hydroxyproline moreover, improved femur parameters indicated mineralized bones, similar to the results observed with raloxifene treatment. Histopathology studies showed fibrocartilaginous proliferation of trabecular bone and absence of uterine hypertrophy.

CONCLUSION

The results strongly suggest that HIRE prevents bone loss in OVX induced osteoporosis without estrogen like side effects. It might be a potential remedy like raloxifene for postmenopausal or estrogen deficiency caused osteoporosis.

Topical antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effect of Scutia buxifolia Reissek gel and stability study

Scutia buxifolia Reissek (Rhamnaceae), popularly known in Brazil as "coronilha", is a plant species used in folk medicine for several disorders, including inflammation. However, no studies have been done with this species to confirm its topical anti-inflammatory action. In this study we evaluate the topical antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of the gel containing crude extract (CE) and the gel containing ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of S. buxifolia on croton oil or UVB radiation-induced ear edema in mice, and perform gel stability study. Antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated through ear edema induced by irritant agent croton oil, UVB irradiation-induced skin injury model and neutrophil infiltration. The gel stability study was performed by analyzing organoleptical aspects, pH, viscosity, and quantification of quercetin and rutin by HPLC. The topical treatment with S. buxifolia gel reduced the ear edema and myeloperoxidase activity. Antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of S. buxifolia were obtained with concentrations of 0.3, 1 and 3%, with maximal inhibition in the concentration of 1% for gel containing CE (inhibitions of 100, 73±0.05 and 97±0.08% for croton oil- or UVB irradiation-induced ear edema and myeloperoxidase activity, respectively) and EtOAc fraction (inhibitions of 79±0.05, 73±0.05 and 89±0.04% for croton oil- or UVB irradiation-induced ear edema and myeloperoxidase activity, respectively). Such effects may be attributed, at least in part, to rutin and quercetin, as well as other compounds found in this species. No important changes were detected in the stability study, in all aspects analyzed in temperature below 25°C. Our results demonstrate that topically applied S. buxifolia gel presented anti-inflammatory effects, provided that it was maintained at a temperature below 25°C.

Antiinflammatory effects of Viola tricolor gel in a model of sunburn in rats and the gel stability study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Viola tricolor, popularly known as heartsease has been empirically used in several skin disorders, including burns.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study was investigate the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect of a gel containing extract of Viola tricolor flowers on thermal burn induced by UVB irradiation and to perform gel stability study.

METHODS

The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect were evaluated by static and dynamic mechanical allodynia model, paw edema, and neutrophilic cell infiltration. Metabolites compounds were quantified by HPLC. The gel stability study was performed analyzing organoleptical aspects, besides pH, viscosity, and quantification of rutin by HPLC.

RESULTS

In the results were evidenced changes in threshold in statical and dynamic mechanical allodynia (I(max)=100 ± 10% and 49 ± 10%, respectively), paw edema (I(max)=61 ± 6%), and myeloperoxidase activity (I(max)=89 ± 5%). Such effects may be attributed, in part, to rutin, salicylic and chlorogenic acids, and others compounds found in this species. No important changes were detected in the stability study, in all aspects analyzed in temperature below 25 °C.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that Viola tricolor gel has an antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect in the ultraviolet-B-induced burn, since maintain the temperature below 25 °C.

From popular use to pharmacological validation: a study of the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and healing effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides extract

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chenopodium ambrosioides (Amarantaceae) is an annual or perennial plant popularly known as 'erva de Santa Maria', 'mastruço' and 'erva-do-formigueiro'. This herb is used in folk medicine in the form of teas, poultices and infusions for inflammatory problems, contusions and lung infections, and as an anthelmintic and anti-fungal.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the present study was to further the understanding of the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of ethanol extract (EE) obtained from the leaves and stems of Chenopodium ambrosioides in animal models of acute pain, inflammation and wound healing, thus supporting its medicinal use for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-nociceptive activity of EE (150-500 mg/kg) was evaluated using the nociception induced by formalin (2.5%), prostaglandin-E(2) (PGE2; 3 nmol/paw), capsaicin (CAP, 1.6 μg/paw) and bradykinin (BK, 10 nmol/paw). The anti-inflammatory activity of EE (150-500 mg/kg) was evaluated in carrageenan- (Cg, 300 μg/paw), PGE(2)- (3 nmol/paw), substance P- (SP, 20 nmol/paw) and BK- (3 nmol/paw) induced paw oedema. The topical anti-inflammatory activity of EE (1%, 3% and 5%) was evaluated in arachidonic acid- (AA, 2mg/ear), oil croton- (1 μg/ear) and CAP- (250 μg/ear) induced ear oedema. The effect of this extract in the inhibition of the influx of neutrophil, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine-deaminase (ADA) activities and nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-á levels was also determined using the mouse of pleurisy induced by Cg. The excision wound model in rats was used to evaluate the wound healing efficacy of EE (1%, 3% and 5%). To exclude the possible non-specific muscle relaxant or sedative effects of EE, mice motor performance was also evaluated with the rota-rod test.

RESULTS

EE (5% per ear) was effective in reducing ear oedema induced by croton oil by 78.09%, CAP by 70.85% and AA by 77.02%. EE (500 mg/kg; p.o.) also significantly inhibited paw oedema induced by Cg by 40%, PGE(2) by 51%, SP by 56% and BK by 57%. EE (500 mg/kg; p.o.) inhibited the cell influx of leucocytes by 78% and neutrophils by 53%, MPO activity by 62.22% and ADA activity by 23.07%, as well as NO by 77.77% and TNF-á levels by 50% in the fluid leakage due to the carrageenan-induced pleurisy. EE also inhibited the formalin-induced nociceptive in both phases of pain (neurogenic and inflammatory) at a dose of 500 mg/kg, resulting in inhibitions of 77.39% and 95.60%, respectively. EE (500 mg/kg; p.o.) was also effective in inhibiting the nociception induced by PGE(2) (68%), CAP (53%) and BK (32%). Topical application of EE (5%) on excision wounds caused a significant reduction in wound area when compared with the untreated controls. Finally, treatment with EE (150-500 mg/kg) did not show any significant alterations in motor performance or body temperature compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results, including the inhibition of mediators (BK, NO, SP, PGE(2) and TNF-á) and enzyme (MPO and ADA) activity, validate the use of the plant under study for therapeutic treatment of anti-inflammatory, painful and wound healing processes.

Non-peptide antagonists for kinin B1 receptors: new insights into their therapeutic potential for the management of inflammation and pain

Kinin B1 and B2 receptors are central to the aetiology of pain and inflammation. Constitutive B2 receptors are commonly associated with the acute phase of inflammation and nociception, whereas the inducible B1 receptors are mostly linked to the chronic or persistent phase (or both). Therefore, selective, orally active kinin B1 receptor antagonists could be potentially therapeutic. B1 receptor antagonists have long been exclusively peptides, but recently a few non-peptide representatives have been identified. The clinical potential of these non-peptide molecules has not yet been evaluated, but they might have a role in treating persistent inflammation and pain, especially when no satisfactory therapy is available. This review summarizes recent advances in the identification and the potential therapeutic properties of these molecules.