Long-Lasting Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of Acute Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate Administration: Pharmacological, Biochemical, and Docking Studies

Niosome as a promising tool for increasing the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory compounds

Niosomes are drug delivery systems with widespread applications in pharmaceutical research and the cosmetic industry. Niosomes are vesicles of one or more bilayers made of non-ionic surfactants, cholesterol, and charge inducers. Because of their bilayer characteristics, similar to liposomes, niosomes can be loaded with lipophilic and hydrophilic cargos. Therefore, they are more stable and cheaper in preparation than liposomes. They can be classified into four categories according to their sizes and structures, namely small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs,), multilamellar vesicles (MLVs), and multivesicular vesicles (MVVs). There are many methods for niosome preparation, such as thin-film hydration, solvent injection, and heating method. The current study focuses on the preparation methods and pharmacological effects of niosomes loaded with natural and chemical anti-inflammatory compounds in kinds of literature during the past decade. We found that most research was carried out to load anti-inflammatory agents like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) into niosome vesicles. The studies revealed that niosomes could improve anti-inflammatory agents' physicochemical properties, including solubility, cellular uptake, stability, encapsulation, drug release and liberation, efficiency, and oral bioavailability or topical absorption. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).

Screening compounds for treating the diabetes and COVID-19 from Miao medicine by molecular docking and bioinformatics

Both diabetes and Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are seriously harmful to human health, and they are closely related. It is of great significance to find drugs that can simultaneously treat diabetes and COVID-19. Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine for treating COVID-19, this study first sorted out the compounds of Guizhou Miao medicine with "return to the lung channel" and "clear heat and detoxify" effects in China. The active components against COVID-19 were screened by molecular docking with SARS-CoV-2 PLpro and angiotensin-converting enzyme II as targets. Furthermore, the common target dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) of diabetes and COVID-19 was used as a screening protein, and molecular docking was used to obtain potential components for the treatment of diabetes and COVID-19. Finally, the mechanism of potential ingredients in the treatment of diabetes and COVID-19 was explored with bioinformatics. More than 80 kinds of Miao medicine were obtained, and 584 compounds were obtained. Further, 110 compounds against COVID-19 were screened, and top 6 potential ingredients for the treatment of diabetes and COVID-19 were screened, including 3-O-β-D-Xylopyranosyl-(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, Glycyrrhizic acid, Sequoiaflavone, 2-O-Caffeoyl maslinic acid, Pholidotin, and Ambewelamide A. Bioinformatics analysis found that their mechanism of action in treating diabetes and COVID-19 may be related to regulating the expression of DPP4, angiotensin II type 1 receptor, vitamin D receptor, plasminogen, chemokine C-C-motif receptor 6, and interleukin 2. We believe that Guizhou Miao medicine is rich in potential ingredients for the treatment of diabetes and COVID-19.

Advances in the roles of glycyrrhizic acid in cancer therapy

Since the first 70 years of reporting cancer chemotherapy, malignant tumors have been the second most common cause of death in children and adults. Currently, the commonly used anti-cancer methods include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Although these treatment methods could alleviate cancer, they lead to different forms of side effects and have no particularly significant effect on prolonging the patients' life span. Glycyrrhizic acid (GL), a native Chinese herbal extract, has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune regulation. In this review, the anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of GL are summarized in various cancers. The inhibition of GL on chemotherapy-induced side effects, including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity and pulmonary toxicity, is highlighted. Therefore, GL may be a promising and ideal drug for cancer therapy.

Mechanistic insights into monomer level prevention of amyloid aggregation of lysozyme by glycyrrhizic acid

As the primary bioactive compound of glycyrrhiza rhizome, the triterpene glycoside conjugate Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in vivo. This study evaluates the effectiveness of GA as an inhibitor of GuHCl-induced amyloid aggregation of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL). Fibril formation as measured by Thioflavin-T fluorescence, 90⁰ light scattering, and 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence illustrated ∼90 % prevention of fibrils at [GA]/[HEWL] ≥2:1. Images of Transmission electron microscopy evidence for the absence of any fibril or amorphous aggregation products. The spectral characteristics of soluble HEWL were in close resemblance to unfolded monomer. Computational and fluorescence investigations performed to analyse GA-HEWL interactions demonstrated slightly higher affinity of GA to unfolded HEWL and aggregation-prone regions. The likely mechanism of monomer level aggregation prevention by GA as dermined by computational, stability, and ANS experiments illustrated that GA modulated the compactness, solvent-accessible surface, and solvent-exposed hydrophobic surfaces of aggregation-prone state of HEWL. Our findings corroborate GA as an effective inhibitor of HEWL amyloid formation. To our knowledge, GA interaction-induced inhibition of aggregation-prone states has not been previously discussed. GA's modulation of aggregation-prone states of disease-related proteins will successfully develop GA as an amyloid inhibitor for clinical trials of amyloidosis and neurodegenerative illnesses.

Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate and Bergamot Essential Oil Co-Loaded Ultradeformable Nanocarriers: An Effective Natural Nanomedicine for In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Topical Therapies

Bergamot essential oil (BEO) and Ammonium glycyrrhizinate (AG), naturally derived compounds, have remarkable anti-inflammatory properties, thus making them suitable candidates for the treatment of skin disorders. Despite this, their inadequate physicochemical properties strongly compromise their topical application. Ultradeformable nanocarriers containing both BEO and AG were used to allow their passage through the skin, thus maximizing their therapeutic activity. Physicochemical characterization studies were performed using Zetasizer Nano ZS and Turbiscan Lab^®. The dialysis method was used to investigate the release profile of the active compounds. In vivo studies were performed on human healthy volunteers through the X-Rite spectrophotometer. The nanosystems showed suitable features for topical cutaneous administration in terms of mean size, surface charge, size distribution, and long-term stability/storability. The co-delivery of BEO and AG in the deformable systems improved both the release profile kinetic of ammonium glycyrrhizinate and deformability properties of the resulting nanosystems. The topical cutaneous administration on human volunteers confirmed the efficacy of the nanosystems. In detail, BEO and AG-co-loaded ultradeformable vesicles showed a superior activity compared to that recorded from the ones containing AG as a single agent. These results are promising and strongly encourage a potential topical application of AG/BEO co-loaded nanocarriers for anti-inflammatory therapies.

Advancement of nanomedicines in chronic inflammatory disorders

Chronic diseases, as stated by the WHO, are a threat to human health which kill 3 out of every 5 people worldwide. Therapeutics for such illnesses can be developed using traditional medicine. However, it is not an easy path from natural products to Western pharmacological and pharmaceutical methods. For several decades, chronic inflammatory disorders, especially in Westernized countries, have increased incidence and prevalence. Several NSAIDs are used to decrease inflammation and pain; however, there are numerous negative consequences of these anti-inflammatory medications, whereas plant-based natural products have anti-inflammatory therapeutic benefits that have little or no adverse effects. Nanoparticles are a new type of drug delivery device that may be designed to provide excellent target selectivity for certain cells and tissues while also having a high drug loading capacity, resulting in better pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (PKPD), and therapeutic bioavailability. The size and polarity of phytochemical compounds make it hard to pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), blood-vessel endothelial lining, gastrointestinal tract and mucosa. In addition, the gastrointestinal system is enzymatically destroyed. Therefore, nanoparticles or nanocrystals might also be used for encapsulation or conjugation of these chemicals as a method to improve their organic effectiveness through their gastrointestinal stability, absorption rate and dispersion. The therapy of numerous inflammatory illnesses, including arthritis, gastritis, Nephritis, Hepatitis (Type A, B &C), ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, allergic responses (asthma, eczema) or autoimmune disorders, is characterised by nanoparticles. This review paper provides information on the numerous nanosystem described with their probable mechanism to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.

Glycyrrhizic Acid and Its Hydrolyzed Metabolite 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid as Specific Ligands for Targeting Nanosystems in the Treatment of Liver Cancer

Glycyrrhizic acid and its hydrolyzed metabolite 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, obtained from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, have numerous pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerative, antiallergic, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects, and others. In addition to the pharmacological activities, in the 1980s, an interaction and uptake of these molecules by the liver was verified, which was later confirmed by other studies through the discovery of specific receptors in the hepatocytes. The presence of these specific receptors in the liver led to vectorization and delivery of drugs, by the introduction of glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhetinic acid on the surface of nanosystems, for the treatment of liver diseases. This review describes experimental evidence of vectorization by conjugating glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhetinic acid to nanosystems and delivery of antitumor drugs for the treatment of liver cancer and also describes the techniques used to perform this conjugation. We have shown that due to the existence of specific receptors for these molecules, in addition to the targeting of nanosystems to hepatocytes, nanosystems having glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhetinic acid on their surface had the same therapeutic effect in a significantly lower dose compared to the free drug and unconjugated nanosystems, with consequent reduction of side effects and toxicity.

The potential of glycyrrhizin and licorice extract in combating COVID-19 and associated conditions

BACKGROUND

Several recent studies have stated that glycyrrhizin and licorice extract are present in most traditional Chinese medicine formulas used against SARS-CoV-2 in China. Significant data are showing that glycyrrhizin and licorice extract have multiple beneficial activities in combating most features of SARS-CoV-2.

PURPOSE

The aim of current review was to highlight recent progresses in research that showed the evidence of the potential use of glycyrrhizin and licorice extract against COVID-19.

METHODOLOGY

We have reviewed the information published from 1979 to October 2020. These studies demonstrated the effects , use and safety of glycyrrhizin and icorice extract against viral infections,bacterial infections, inflammatory disorders of lung ( in vitro and in vivo).  These studies were collated through online electronic databases research (Academic libraries as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Egyptian Knowledge Bank).

RESULTS

Pooled effect size of articles provides information about the rationale for using glycyrrhizin and licorice extract to treat COVID-19. Fifty studies demonstrate antiviral activity of glycyrrhizin and licorice extract. The most frequent mechanism of the antiviral activity is due to disrupting viral uptake into the host cells and disrupting the interaction between receptor- binding domain (RBD) of SARS-COV2 and ACE2 in recent articles. Fifty studies indicate that glycyrrhizin and licorice extract have significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Twenty five studies provide evidence for the protective effect of glycyrrhizin and licorice extract against inflammation-induced acute lung injury and cardiovascular disorders.

CONCLUSION

The current study showed several evidence regarding the beneficial effects of glycyrrhizin and licorice extract in combating COVID-19. More randomized clinical trials are needed to obtain a precise conclusion.

Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate Prevents Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by High Glucose in SH-SY5Y Cell Line and Counteracts Neuropathic Pain in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as liquorice, contains several bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, sterols, triterpene, and saponins; among which, glycyrrhizic acid, an oleanane-type saponin, is the most abundant component in liquorice root. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus, leading to painful condition as neuropathic pain. The pathogenetic mechanism of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is very complex, and its understanding could lead to a more suitable therapeutic strategy. In this work, we analyzed the effects of ammonium glycyrrhizinate, a derivate salt of glycyrrhizic acid, on an in vitro system, neuroblastoma cells line SH-SY5Y, and we observed that ammonium glycyrrhizinate was able to prevent cytotoxic effect and mitochondrial fragmentation after high-glucose administration. In an in vivo experiment, we found that a short-repeated treatment with ammonium glycyrrhizinate was able to attenuate neuropathic hyperalgesia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In conclusion, our results showed that ammonium glycyrrhizinate could ameliorate diabetic peripheral neuropathy, counteracting both in vitro and in vivo effects induced by high glucose, and might represent a complementary medicine for the clinical management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Topical Unsaturated Fatty Acid Vesicles Improve Antioxidant Activity of Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate

Linoleic and oleic acids are natural unsaturated fatty acids involved in several biological processes and recently studied as structural components of innovative nanovesicles. The use of natural components in the pharmaceutical field is receiving growing attention from the scientific world. The aim of this research work is to design, to perform physico-chemical characterization and in vitro/in vivo studies of unsaturated fatty acids vesicles containing ammonium glycyrrhizinate, obtaining a new topical drug delivery system. The chosen active substance is well known as an anti-inflammatory compound, but its antioxidant activity is also noteworthy. In this way, the obtained nanocarriers are totally natural vesicles and they have shown to have suitable physico-chemical features for topical administration. Moreover, the proposed nanocarriers have proven their ability to improve the in vitro percutaneous permeation and antioxidant activity of ammonium glycyrrhizinate on human keratinocytes (NCTC 2544 cells). In vivo studies, carried out on human volunteers, have demonstrated the biocompatibility of unsaturated fatty acid vesicles toward skin tissue, indicating a possible clinical application of unsaturated fatty acid vesicles for the treatment of topical diseases.

Development of Ecofriendly Carbon Dots for Improving Solubility and Antinociceptive Activity of Glycyrrhizic Acid

The therapeutic potential of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) with various pharmacological properties is extremely limited owing to its poor water solubility. To solve this problem, nanocarrier-nontoxic Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-derived carbon dots (GRR-CDs) with a narrow particle distribution of (1.90 ±0.44) nm were developed by an ecofriendly, simple and low-cost calcination method using GRR as the sole precursor. Then, the solubility of GA was shown to be prominently improved up to 27 times by GRR-CDs via a convenient and cost-effective ultrasonic dispersion method without needing to add any organic reagent. Various technologies were further used to demonstrate the interaction between GA and GRR-CDs. In addition, a release study in vitro exhibited a sustained release of GA for 24 h with a higher release ratio of up to 92.87% compared with that of pure GA. A significantly higher antinociceptive activity of the GRR-CDs-GA complexes compared to unprocessed GRR-CDs and GA was further demonstrated in both hot-plate model and acetic acid-induced writhing model. These results support the promising application of GRR-CDs as a potential tool for improving the solubility and antinociceptive activity of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as GA.

Exploring the Pivotal Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Potentials of Glycyrrhizic and Glycyrrhetinic Acids

Licorice extract is a Chinese herbal medication most often used as a demulcent or elixir. The extract usually consists of many components but the key ingredients are glycyrrhizic (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). GL and GA function as potent antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor agents, and immuneregulators. GL and GA have potent activities against hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus type 1, vesicular stomatitis virus, herpes simplex virus, influenza A, severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, vaccinia virus, and arboviruses. Also, GA was observed to be of therapeutic valve in human enterovirus 71, which was recognized as the utmost regular virus responsible for hand, foot, and mouth disease. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of GL and GA is realized via cytokines like interferon-γ, tumor necrotizing factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17. They also modulate anti-inflammatory mechanisms like intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 and P-selectin, enzymes like inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappa B, signal transducer and activator of transcription- (STAT-) 3, and STAT-6. Furthermore, DCs treated with GL were capable of influencing T-cell differentiation toward Th1 subset. Moreover, GA is capable of blocking prostaglandin-E2 synthesis via blockade of cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 resulting in concurrent augmentation nitric oxide production through the enhancement of iNOS2 mRNA secretion in Leishmania-infected macrophages. GA is capable of inhibiting toll-like receptors as well as high-mobility group box 1.

Liquorice for pain?

Liquorice has a long history of use in traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and herbal medicine. The liquorice plant contains numerous bioactive compounds, including triterpenes, flavonoids and secondary metabolites, with glycyrrhizin being the main active compound. Liquorice constituents have been found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties. In addition, they appear to have antidepressant actions and effects on morphine tolerance. Glycyrrhizin, its metabolite glycyrrhetic (glycyrrhetinic) acid and other liquorice-derived compounds such as isoflavonoids and trans-chalcones, exert potent anti-inflammatory effects via a wide range of mechanisms including high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) inhibition, gap junction blockade and α_2A-adrenoceptor antagonism. These properties, together with an increasing body of preclinical studies and a long history of use in herbal medicine, suggest that liquorice constituents may be useful for pain management. Glycyrrhizin is used widely in the confectionary, food and tobacco industries, but has documented adverse effects that may limit clinical use. Whether liquorice plant-derived compounds represent a novel class of analgesics is yet to be established. Having a host of bioactive compounds with a broad range of mechanisms of effect, liquorice is a plant that, in the future, may give rise to new therapies for pain.

Profiling and Identification of Omeprazole Metabolites in Mouse Brain and Plasma by Isotope Ratio-Monitoring Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric Method

Neuro–inflammation is known to be one of the pathogenesis for the degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disease. Recently various approaches for the treatment of brain diseases by controlling neuro-inflammation in the brain have been introduced. In this respect, there is a continuous demand for CNS drugs, which could be safer and more effective. Omeprazole, a well-known proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) is generally prescribed for the treatment of peptic ulcer. In addition to the anti-gastric acid secretion mechanism, recent studies showed that omeprazole or PPIs would likely have anti-inflammation effects in vitro and in vivo, but their effects on anti-inflammation in brain are still unknown. In this study, omeprazole and its metabolites in a mouse’s brain after various routes of administration have been explored by stable isotope ratio-patterning liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric method. First, a simple liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric (LC–MS) method was established for the quantification of omeprazole in mouse plasma and brain. After that, omeprazole and its stable isotope (D3–omeprazole) were concomitantly administered through various routes to mice in order to identify novel metabolites characteristically observed in the mouse brain and were analyzed using a different LC–MS method with information-dependent analysis (IDA) scan. With this unique approach, several new metabolites of omeprazole were identified by the mass difference between omeprazole and stable isotope in both brain and plasma samples. A total of seventeen metabolites were observed, and the observed metabolites were different from each administration route or each matrix (brain or plasma). The brain pharmacokinetic profiles and brain-to-plasma partition coefficient (Kp) were also evaluated in a satellite study. Overall, these results provide better insights to understand the CNS-related biological effects of omeprazole and its metabolites in vivo.

Ammonium glycyrrhizate skin delivery from ultradeformable liposomes: A novel use as an anti-inflammatory agent in topical drug delivery

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is a native plant of Central and South-Western Asia that is also diffused in the Mediterranean area and contains several bioactive compounds such as: flavonoids, sterols, triterpene and saponins. Glycyrrhizin, containing glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhizinic acids has anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects that are similar to corticosteroids. Ammonium glycyrrhizinate is a derivative salt of glycyrrhizic acid with similar anti-inflammatory activity that cannot pass through the skin due to its physicochemical properties and molecular weight. Although several nanoformulations, such as ethosomes, are designed to provide a systemic effect through a topical application, there are different limitations to the distribution inside the blood stream. For this reason, ultradeformable liposomes, or transfersomes, are selected to improve the topical delivery of drugs and allow the distribution of payloads in the blood stream because they pass intact through the stratum corneum epidermis barrier, due to the presence of sodium cholate, aqueous cutaneous gradient, and the rapid penetration of transfersomes by cutaneous tight junctions, thus allowing the systemic delivery of different therapeutic cargo in non-occlusive conditions. The aim of this work was the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of the ammonium glycyrrhizinate-loaded ultradeformable liposomes, the evaluation of drug release and permeation through stratum corneum and epidermis barrier. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of ammonium glycyrrhizinate-loaded ultradeformable liposomes was tested on human healthy volunteers. The results demonstrated that the ammonium glycyrrhizinate-loaded ultradeformable liposomes decreased the skin inflammation on the human volunteers and the resulting nanoformulations can be used as a potential topical drug delivery system for anti-inflammatory therapy. ^☆Parts of these results were presented as a poster communication at the Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis 2019 (RDPA 2019), Chieti, Italy.

Antipyretic, Antinociceptive, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities from Pogostemon benghalensis Leaf Extract in Experimental Wister Rats

Background:Pogostemon benghalensis leaves have traditionally been utilized for relieving body aches, headaches and fever. Based on its uses, the present study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive, antipyretic and anti-edematogenic activities from P. benghalensis leaves’ methanol extract (PBME) in Wister rats. Methods: The thermal (hot plate) and chemical (acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin test) models for antinociceptive effects, and the Brewer’s yeast induced hyperthermia test for antipyretic action and rat paw edema by carrageenan for anti-edematogenic activity, were applied for PBME at different dose levels. The acute toxicity of PBME through the oral route was performed to determine the lethal dose. Results: PBME significantly and dose-dependently reduced pyrexia and diminished edema volume, which depicted its antipyretic and anti-edematogenic effects respectively. The inhibition of writhing reflex, increased reaction latency and reduced frequency of licking indicated that PBME has significant dose-dependent antinociceptive activity. P. benghalensis methanol extract at 4000 mg/kg shows no sign of toxicity, which is a considerable, good margin of safety. Conclusions: The study illustrated the antipyretic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential of P. benghalensis leaf extract with a safety margin, and validated its traditional use to alleviate fever, pain, and inflammation.

Discovery of Orexant and Anorexant Agents with Indazole Scaffold Endowed with Peripheral Antiedema Activity

The endocannabinoid system represents an integrated neuronal network involved in the control of several organisms' functions, such as feeding behavior. A series of hybrids of 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4-methyl-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (mimonabant), a well-known inverse agonist of the type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1), once used as an antiobesity drug, and the N-(2S)-substitutes of 1-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]indazole-3-carboxamide with 1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutane (AB-Fubinaca), 1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutane (ADB-Fubinaca), and 3-methylbutanoate (AMB-Fubinaca), endowed with potent agonistic activity towards cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 were in solution as C-terminal amides, acids, methyl esters and N-methyl amides. These compounds have been studied by binding assays to cannabinoid receptors and by functional receptor assays, using rat brain membranes in vitro. The most active among them as an agonist, (S)-1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-N-(3,3-dimethyl-1-(methylamino)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (LONI11), and an antagonist, (S)-2-(1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3-methylbutanoic acid (LONI4), were tested in vivo in mic, to evaluate their ability to stimulate or suppress feeding behavior after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration. For a LONI11 formalin test and a tail flick test after an administration by the subcutaneous (s.c.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) routes, respectively, were also carried out in vivo in mice to investigate the antinociceptive property at the central and peripheral levesl. We observed a significant orexant effect for LONI11 and an intense anorexant effect for (S)-methyl 2-(1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (LONI2) and LONI4. In zymosan-induced edema and hyperalgesia, LONI11 reduced the percent of paw volume increase and paw latency after s.c. administration, also suggesting a possible peripheral anti-inflammatory activity.