Antihypernociceptive activity of anethole in experimental inflammatory pain

Abstract

Anethole has been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory, and anesthetic properties. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of anethole in two pain models of inflammatory origin: acute inflammation induced by carrageenan and persistent inflammation induced by Complete Freund's adjuvant. We evaluated the effects of anethole (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) on the development of paw oedema and mechanical hypernociception. The liver was collected for histological analysis. Paw skin was collected to determine the levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and myeloperoxidase activity. Blood was collected to assess alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The chemical composition of star anise oil was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), showing a presence of anethole of 98.1%. Oral pretreatment with anethole in mice inhibited paw oedema, mechanical pernociception, myelopewroxidase activity, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-17 levels in acute and persistent inflammation models. Additionally, anethole treatment did not alter prostaglandin E2-induced mechanical hypernociception. Possible side effects were also examined. Seven-day anethole treatment did not alter plasma AST and ALT levels, and the histological profile of liver tissue was normal. The present study provides evidence of the antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of anethole in acute and persistent inflammation models.

Effect of Estragole on Leukocyte Behavior and Phagocytic Activity of Macrophages

“…Recently it was demonstrated by our research group that anethole decreased the acute inflammatory process by inhibiting some mediators such as NO, PGE 2 , TNF, IL-1 β , and IL-17 and it was also able to inhibit leukocyte migration in vitro and in vivo [7, 9, 23]. Indeed, EST presented inhibitory activity on paw edema induced by TNF- α in mice [10].…”

“…Anethole, a position isomer of EST, showed anti-inflammatory properties as demonstrated in carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats, inhibited TNF-induced inflammation, and reduced the inflammatory pain in models of carrageenan-induced paw edema and mechanical hypernociception [7–9]. Although several studies have demonstrated the effects of EST, there are few reports in the literature of the anti-inflammatory activity of this compound.…”

Anethole prevents hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis and collagen metabolism alterations in human skin fibroblasts

“…Contemporary studies show that anethole inhibits TNF-induced cellular responses, which leads, among others, to the suppression of inflammation and carcinogenesis. This compound also inhibits the production, or release, of cytokines, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide [7, 8]. …”

Effect of Hautriwaic Acid Isolated from Dodonaea viscosa in a Model of Kaolin/Carrageenan-Induced Monoarthritis

“…The latter leads us to propose this diterpenic acid as an anti-inflammatory and also as an immunomodulator of response to chronic damage, as is the case of pathophysiological mechanisms during RA. It has been demonstrated that in carrageenan-induced pain and inflammation models, carrageenan promotes the increase of TNF-α and IL-1β [32] concentration, and even IL-17, a cytokine that has been proposed as an immune response marker in RA [33]. This evidence indicates that carrageenan is an agent that activates the immune response against the damage it generates and, in the case of the present work, we observed that the joint responded directly to this damage with a high production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α.…”