Antinociceptive activity of Channa striatus (haruan) extracts in mice

Abstract

Haruan, Channa striatus, is a snakehead fish consumed in many parts of the southeast Asian region. It is believed to promote wound healing, as well as reduce post-operative pain. In an attempt to establish the scientific basis for the alleged pain-relieving benefits of this fish, we studied the antinociceptive effects of whole fillet and mucus extracts from haruan in the mouse using the abdominal constriction and tail flick tests. In the abdominal constriction test, the 30 min fillet extract exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of the writhing response in the 10-50% concentration range, with 20% as the IC50 value. This activity was not dependent on the duration of extraction, with no significant differences among the extracts obtained at durations of 10, 20, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min (range between 45-54% inhibition at 20% concentration). The mucus extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition of the abdominal constriction response-at the highest concentration used the average inhibition was 68.9%, while IC50 value was 25%. Neither the fillet extract (30 min, 20%) nor the mucus extract (25%) had any demonstrable effect on the tail flick latency on their own, but significantly enhanced the antinociceptive activity of morphine in this assay. Similarly, low concentrations of the mucus and fillet extract enhanced the effects of morphine in the abdominal constriction test. Collectively, these results suggest a scientific basis for the folklore practice of eating haruan fish in the post-operative period for pain relief: Haruan extracts have antinociceptive activity and enhance the activity of other antinociceptive agents.

Analgesic effects and anti-inflammatory properties of the crude methanolic extract of Schwenckia americana Linn (Solanaceae)

“…It also has an ability to mimic human clinical pain conditions and production of tonic stimulus (Victor et al, 2003), various peripherally acting analgesic drugs have inhibited acid induced writhing in mice (Gene et al, 1998;Okpo et al, 2001). The abdominal constriction is thought to involve local peritoneal receptors (Bentley et al, 1983;Mat Jais et al, 1997;Atta and Alkofahi, 1998), and mediated by peritoneal mast cells, acid sensing ion channels and the prostaglandin pathways (Ranjit et al, 2006). Intra-peritoneal administration of acetic acid releases prostaglandins and sympathomimetic system mediators like PGE 2 and PGF 2␣ and their levels will be increased in the peritoneal fluid of the acetic acid induced mice (Deraedt et al, 1980), increased levels of protanoids as well as lipoxygenase products have also been found in the peritoneal fluid after the injection of the acetic acid (Magaji et al, 2008).…”

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“…Extracts of this fish have also been used in aggregation of platelets thus helping in blood clotting during haemorrhagic conditions. Murrel fillet extract has antinociceptive property thus leading to healing, which is due to the presence of hydromethanolic portion in the extract (Jais et al, 1997).…”

Gastroprotective Effect of Freeze Dried Stripped Snakehead Fish (Channa striataBloch.) Aqueous Extract against Aspirin Induced Ulcerogenesis in Pylorus Ligated Rats

“…There are all together 30 species in the family reported around the world and eight of them are found in Malaysia. Members of the family are also found in all ASEAN countries, namely, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore [1]. C. striata is wild species found in small rivers, lakes, pools, and shallow water bodies and in its natural habitat.…”

“…Mohd Shafri and Mat Jais reviewed in detail the description, habitat, traditional therapeutic uses, chemical composition, and scientifically proven medicinal properties [6]. The fish is reported to possess antinociceptive [7, 8], antipyretic [9], antidepressant [10, 11], anti-inflammatory [12], antifungal [13], antimicrobial [14], antiosteoarthritic [15], neuroregenerative, and restorative [16] properties and enhances wound healing process [17–19]. In view of traditional and scientific reports on wound healing potential of C. striata and presence of wide range of bioactive components, the present study was undertaken to investigate antiulcer activity.…”