An overview of the effect of medicinal herbs on pain

Abstract

This paper is typically intended to carefully collect and properly review the antinociceptive activities of medicinal plants. In this review article, by searching keywords of medicinal plants, pain, herbal medicine, antinociceptive, phytotherapy in databases of Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer, Wiley, Proquest, PubMed, Nature, Magiran, Emerald, SID, ISI, and some other indexing cites, or traditional books, desired articles were obtained until 2021. The title of medicinal plants was searched diligently in Persian and English. Ultimately, 270 articles were studied. The findings possibly indicated that several medicinal plants are among the most valuable plants that have antinociceptive activities. There efficiently are various antinociceptive compounds in medicinal plants. The antinociceptive activity of these specific compounds may be through their peculiar effects on the opioid system, cholinergic pathways, and stimulation of GABA receptors, with the peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanism. Antiinflammatory processes, inhibition of the synthesis, and the release of arachidonic acid, prostaglandins, phospholipase, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase‐2 have been reported as analgesic mechanisms of some herbs. In a reasonable conclusion, our review thoughtfully provides a comprehensive summary of present data from some scientific studies on the common herbs with antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities.

Assessment of antinociceptive property of Cynara scolymus L. and possible mechanism of action in the formalin and writhing models of nociception in mice

“…In this context, an assessment was made on the pain-alleviating impact triggered by HECS, with a specific focus on the involvement of opioidergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, GABAergic, and serotonergic pathways in formalin-and acetic acid-induced pain-related behaviors. It has been documented that the engagement of diverse neurotransmitter systems and signaling pathways in the antinociceptive activity of novel therapeutic agents, including medicinal plants, has been previously documented [39]. The endogenous opioidergic system, along with its receptor subtypes, including mu (µ), delta (δ), and kappa (κ), is situated in both the CNS and peripheral tissues.…”

From Plant to Chemistry: Sources of Antinociceptive Non-Opioid Active Principles for Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design

“…(Sapindaceae) (Figure 10), a medical plant traditionally used for its anti-diarrheal, antibacterial, analgesic, antiviral, antiulcer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gastroprotective activities. D. viscosa Jacq., active principles are mainly terpenoids and flavonoids, among which the diterpene hautriwaic acid (12) has been demonstrated to have important antiinflammatory and hepatoprotective activities [73]. This diterpene, isolated from dichloromethane extract, showed marked edema reduction (comparable to indomethacin) when topically (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/ear) or i.p.…”

“…chronically (15 mg/kg once daily for 10 days) administered in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate mice ear edema model [74]. In an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis induced by kaolin/carrageenan injection D. viscosa Jacq., active principles are mainly terpenoids and flavonoids, among which the diterpene hautriwaic acid (12) has been demonstrated to have important anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities [73]. This diterpene, isolated from dichloromethane extract, showed marked edema reduction (comparable to indomethacin) when topically (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/ear) or i.p.…”

“…Pain modulation and its perception are regulated by both peripheral and central mechanisms. The process of pain transmission indeed involves different neurotransmitters (i.e., L-glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid), ion channels (sodium and calcium), neuropeptides (calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P) [ 12 ], cyclooxygenase products, super-oxide-anion, nitric oxide, and prostaglandin, with a role in the pathogenesis of pain [ 13 , 14 ]. Several therapeutics for pain treatment are available on the market, but the side effects, physical dependence, and abuse limit their use.…”