Investigations into the antinociceptive activity of Sapindus trifoliatus in various pain models

Types of nasal delivery drugs and medications in Iranian traditional medicine to treatment of headache

CONTEXT

Headache is a common symptom throughout the world. The main purpose of patient-centered approaches is the utilization of useful and simple treatment. Nowadays, there is a rising propensity toward herbal remedies. Nasal route is one of the ancient and topical prescriptions used in headache. In Iranian traditional medicine, physicians such as Avicenna were prescribing herbal drugs through the nose to treat a variety of central nervous system diseases like headache. In this review paper, authors have attempted to introduce different types of nasal administrations which were used in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of headaches.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Initially, we studied two different types of Canon and separated all herbs used in the treatment of headache. Next, all plants were classified according to the method of prescription. Then, we pick out all the plants which were nasally utilized in the treatment of headache and divided them based on the method of administration. In order to find scientific names of herbs, we used two different botany references. Moreover, we conducted various researches in scientific databases with the aim of finding results concerning the analgesic and antinociceptive effects of herbs. Throughout the research, key terms were "analgesic" and "antinociceptive "with the scientific names of all herbs separately. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library and SID.

RESULTS

35 plants were prescribed for the treatment of headaches, which were all nasally used. These plants took either the form of powder, liquid or gas (steam). They were divided in to six categories according to the method of prescription. The Percentage of usage for each method was as follows: 62% Saoot (nasal drop), 25% Shamoom (smell), 17% Inkabab (vapor), 11% Nafookh (snuff), 11% Nashooq (inhaling) and 2% Bokhoor (smoke).

CONCLUSIONS

Medications that are used via nasal delivery have greater effect than oral medications. Iranian physicians were fully aware of systemic effects of topical medications, including prescription drugs through the nose. The study of ancient medical texts helps us in identification of herbal medicine and the investigation of new way for the preparation of drugs.

Types of headache and those remedies in traditional persian medicine

The history of headache, as a common neurological complication, goes back to almost 9000 years ago. Many ancient civilizations present references to headaches and the coherent treatment strategies. Accordingly, several documents comprising headache complications embodying precise medical information stem from Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) that can provide useful opportunities for more comprehensive treatment. We conducted a survey on headache through original important pharmacopeias and other important medical manuscripts of TPM which were written during 9(th) to 19(th) centuries and have derived all headache categories and herbal remedies. An extensive search of scientific data banks, such as Medline and Scopus, has also been exercised to find results relating to the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and analgesic effects of denoted medicinal herbs. The concept of headache and treatments in TPM covers over 20 various types of headache and more than 160 different medicinal plants administered for oral, topical, and nasal application according to 1000 years of the subject documents. Nearly, 60% of remarked medicinal herbs have related anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects and some current headache types have similarities and conformities to those of traditional types. Beside historical approaches, there are many possible and available strategies that can lead to development of new and effective headache treatment from medicinal plants so that this study can provide beneficial information on clinical remedies based on centuries of experience in the field of headache which can stand as a new candidate for further investigations.

Synthesis and pharmacological investigation of novel 3-(3-methylphenyl)-2-substituted amino-3H-quinazolin-4-ones as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents

A variety of novel 3-(3-methylphenyl)-2-substituted amino-3H-quinazolin-4-ones were synthesized by reacting the amino group of 2-hydrazino-3-(3-methylphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one with a variety of aldehydes and ketones. The starting material 2-hydrazino-3-(3-methylphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one was synthesized from 3-methyl aniline. The title compounds were investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic index activities. Compound 2-(1-ethylpropylidene-hydrazino)-3-(3-methylphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one (AS2) was the most active analgesic agent. Compound 2-(1-methylbutylidene-hydrazino)-3-(3-methylphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one (AS3) was the most active anti-inflammatory agent and was moderately more potent than the reference standard diclofenac sodium. The test compounds showed only mild ulcerogenic potential compared with aspirin.

Desirability-based multiobjective optimization for global QSAR studies: application to the design of novel NSAIDs with improved analgesic, antiinflammatory, and ulcerogenic profiles

Up to now, very few reports have been published concerning the application of multiobjective optimization (MOOP) techniques to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies. However, none reports the optimization of objectives related directly to the desired pharmaceutical profile of the drug. In this work, for the first time, it is proposed a MOOP method based on Derringer's desirability function that allows conducting global QSAR studies considering simultaneously the pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and toxicological profile of a set of molecule candidates. The usefulness of the method is demonstrated by applying it to the simultaneous optimization of the analgesic, antiinflammatory, and ulcerogenic properties of a library of fifteen 3-(3-methylphenyl)-2-substituted amino-3H-quinazolin-4-one compounds. The levels of the predictor variables producing concurrently the best possible compromise between these properties is found and used to design a set of new optimized drug candidates. Our results also suggest the relevant role of the bulkiness of alkyl substituents on the C-2 position of the quinazoline ring over the ulcerogenic properties for this family of compounds. Finally, and most importantly, the desirability-based MOOP method proposed is a valuable tool and shall aid in the future rational design of novel successful drugs.

Pharmacological studies of the aqueous extract of Sapindus trifoliatus on central nervous system: possible antimigraine mechanisms

The aqueous extract of pericarp of fruits of Sapindus trifoliatus (ST) Linn., family Sapindaceae was evaluated for its potential effects on central nervous system in mice. The extract at doses 20 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the spontaneous locomotor activity and at 100 mg/kg, increased the thiopental-induced sleeping time. In rota-rod motor co-ordination test, ST at 100 mg/kg, i.p. significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) reduced the endurance time. Further ST exhibited no protection against maximal electroshock (MES)- and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in mice. In receptor radioligand binding studies, ST exhibited affinity towards dopaminergic, alpha-adrenergic and muscarnic receptors. The findings suggest that, ST may possess principles with potential neuroleptic properties.

Effect of Sapindus trifoliatus on hyperalgesic in vivo migraine models

Phytotherapies have offered alternative sources of therapy for migraine and gained much importance in prophylactic treatment. Sapindus trifoliatus is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing wild in south India that belongs to the family Sapindaceae. The pericarp is reported for various medicinal properties. A thick aqueous solution of the pericarp is used for the treatment of hemicrania, hysteria or epilepsy in folklore medicine. We have investigated the antihyperalgesic effects of the lyophilized aqueous extract of S. trifoliatus in animal models predictive of experimental migraine models using morphine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia on the hot-plate test and on 0.3% acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions in adult male Swiss albino mice. The extract significantly (N = 10, P < 0.05) increased the licking latency in the hot-plate test when administered i.p. at 10 mg/kg (6.70 +/- 0.39 s in saline control vs 18.76 +/- 0.96 s in S. trifoliatus-treated animals) and significantly (N = 10, P < 0.001) reduced the abdominal constrictions when administered i.p. at 2 and 10 mg/kg (40.20 +/- 1.36 in saline control vs 30.20 +/- 1.33 and 23.00 +/- 0.98 for 2 and 10 mg/kg, i.p., respectively, in S. trifoliatus-treated animals). Furthermore, when administered i.p. at 20 and 100 mg/kg, the extract significantly (N = 10, P < 0.05) inhibited the apomorphine-induced climbing behavior in mice (climbing duration 15.75 +/- 5.0 min for saline control vs 11.4 +/- 1.28 and 3.9 +/- 1.71 min for 20 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, in S. trifoliatus-treated animals). In receptor radioligand-binding studies, the extract exhibited affinity towards D2 receptors. The findings suggest that dopamine D2 antagonism could be the mechanism involved in the antihyperalgesic activity of the aqueous extract of S. trifoliatus.

In vitro pharmacological investigations of Sapindus trifoliatus in various migraine targets

Phytotherapies have offered alternative sources of therapy for migraine and gained much importance in prophylactic treatment. The aqueous extract of pericarp of fruits of Sapindus trifoliatus Linn (ST), family Sapindaceae was evaluated for its affinity for 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors in rabbit saphenous vein, alpha-adrenoceptors in rabbit aorta, GABA receptors in guinea pig ileum, 5-HT(2B) receptors in rat fundus and vanilloid receptors in guinea pig trachea. The calcium blocking effect was studied in rabbit aorta while the modulatory role of ST on platelet serotonin release was evaluated in human platelets. The aqueous extract of Sapindus trifoliatus exhibited significant 5-HT(2B) receptor inhibition and moderate platelet serotonin release inhibition.