This study aimed to assess the possible topical antinociceptive activity of Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker essential oil (EOVA) and to clarify the underlying mechanism, using the acute model of chemical (eye wiping) nociception in mice. EOVA (25 to 200 mg/kg; p.o. and topical) evidenced significant antinociception against chemogenic pain in the test model of formalin-induced neuroinflammatory pain. Local application of 5 M NaCl solution on the corneal surface of the eye produced a significant nociceptive behavior, characterized by eye wiping. The number of eye wipes was counted during the first 30 s. EOVA (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg; p.o. and topical) significantly decreased the number of eye wipes. Naloxone, yohimbine, L-NAME, theophylline, glibenclamide, and ruthenium red had no effect on the antinociceptive effect of EOVA. However, ondansetron, p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA), capsazepine, prazosin, and atropine prevented the antinociception induced by EOVA. These results indicate the topical antinociceptive effect of EOVA and showed that 5-HT, α1, TRPV1, and central muscarinic receptors might be involved in the antinociceptive effect of EOVA in the acute corneal model of pain in mice.

Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as “velame do campo,” is a species native to the savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation, and gastritis. The hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves (HELCC) was assessed for its antiulcerogenic effect in gastric lesion models and effect on intestinal motility in mice, and possible mechanisms of action were examined. HELCC showed significant gastroprotective action in all models of gastric ulcer evaluated; the results suggest that this action probably involves the nitric oxide pathway. HELCC did not show alteration of intestinal motility in mice. It was also found that C. campestris represents a promising natural source with important biological potential, justifying some of its uses in folk medicine.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker (Asteraceae) has high economic value and anti-inflammatory properties due the presence of alpha--bisabolol in its bark essential oil. Keeping in view the high content of α-bisabolol in Vanillosmopsis arborea (EOVA) bark essential oil, the aim of our study was to determine whether EOVA mitigates visceral nociception induced by different noxious agents. METHOD: Mice (n = 8) were pretreated orally with EOVA (100, 200 e 400 mg/kg) or vehicle, and pain-related behavioral responses to intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide (CPM 400 mg/kg), intracolonic mustard oil (MO 0.75%) or capsaicin (CAP 0.3%) were analyzed. RESULTS: Animals that received CFM, OM or CAP presented spontaneous nociceptive behaviors that were significantly suppressed by EOVA.