Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Crude Methanolic Extract of Red Alga Bryothamnion triquetrum

Abstract

The marine environment is an extraordinary reservoir of bioactive natural products, many of which exhibit chemical and structural features not found in terrestrial natural products. In this regard, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a crude methanolic extract of the red alga Bryothamnion triquetrum (BT-MeOH) in murine models. Groups of Swiss mice of both sexes (25–30 g) were used throughout the experiments. The potential antinociceptive of BT-MeOH was evaluated by means of the following tests: acetic acid-induced writhing, hot-plate test and glutamate- and formalin-induced nociception. The anti-inflammatory activity of BT-MeOH was investigated using the zymosan A-induced peritonitis test. The tests were conducted using 100 mg/kg (p.o.) BT-MeOH, 33.3 mg/kg (p.o.) dipyrone, 35.7 mg/kg (p.o.) indomethacin and 5.7 mg/kg (s.c.) morphine. The extract and all standard drugs were administered 40 min before the nociceptive/inflammatory stimulus. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, BT-MeOH and dipyrone inhibited the nociceptive response by 55.9% (22.2 ± 2.0 writhings; p < 0.01) and 80.9% (9.6 ± 2.1 writhings; p < 0.01). In the hot-plate test, BT-MeOH did not increase the latency time of the animals in the time evaluated. In addition, BT-MeOH inhibited glutamate-induced nociception by 50.1%. While BT-MeOH did not inhibit the neurogenic phase in formalin-induced nociception, the inflammatory phase was inhibited by 53.1% (66.8 ± 14.2 s; p < 0.01). Indomethacin inhibited the inflammatory phase by 60.2% (56.8 ± 8.7 s; p < 0.01). In the zymosan-induced peritonitis test, BT-MeOH inhibited 55.6% (6.6 ± 0.2 × 106 leukocytes/mL; p < 0.01) of leukocyte migration, while indomethacin inhibited 78.1% (3.2 ± 0.1 × 106 leukocytes/mL; p < 0.01). Based on the results obtained in this study, we conclude that BT-MeOH has peripheral antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. However, more studies need to be conducted to confirm these properties.

Marine algal natural products with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties

“…For example, a methanol extract of Bryothamnion triquetrum [62] had both antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in experiments that used Swiss mice. Antinociceptive activity was examined using an acetic acid-induced writhing test, a hot-plate test, and glutamate-/formalin-induced nociception.…”

Marine Pharmacology in 2012–2013: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis, and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems, and Other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action

“…A number of publications during 2012–2013 reported extracts or structurally uncharacterized marine compounds, with novel and interesting preclinical and/or clinical pharmacology: in vitro antimalarial activity in crude extracts from Fiji marine organisms using a semi-automated RNA fluorescence-based high-content live cell-imaging assay [10]; the first report of in vitro liver stage antiplasmodial activity and dual stage inhibitory potential of British seaweeds [11]; anti-hepatitis C virus activity affecting the viral helicase NS3 and replication, in crude extracts from the marine feather star Alloeocomatella polycladia [12]; anti-herpes simplex virus HSV-1 and HSV-2 activity in a purified sulfoglycolipid fraction from the Brazilian marine alga Osmundaria obtusiloba [13]; in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of a heterofucan from the Brazilian seaweed Dictyota menstrualis that inhibited leukocyte migration to sites of tissue injury by binding to the cell membrane [14]; in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in a crude methanolic extract of the red alga Bryothamnion triquetrum [15]; in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in a sulfate polysaccharide fraction from the red alga Gracilaria caudata resulting in significant inhibition of neutrophil migration and cytokine release [16]; in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of a hexane-soluble fraction of the brown alga Laminaria japonica that inhibited nitric oxide, prostaglandin E 2 , interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 release from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages via inactivation of nuclear factor-κB transcription factor [17]; in vivo anti-inflammatory of a polysaccharide-rich fraction from the marine red alga Lithothamnion muelleri that reduced organ injury and lethality, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, associated with graft-versus-host disease in mice [18]; in vivo clinical effectiveness in an osteoarthritis trial by PCSO-524 TM , a nonpolar lipid extract from the New Zealand marine green lipped mussel Perna canaliculus , which may offer “potential alternative complementary therapy with no side effects for osteoarthritis patients” [19]; enhanced antioxidant activity of chitosan nanoparticles as compared to chitosan on hydrogen peroxide-induced stress injury in mouse macrophages in vitro [20]; induction of concentration-dependent vasoconstrictive activity on isolated rat aorta by a tentacle extract from the jellyfish Cyanea capillata [21]; significant antioxidant effect of a sulfated-polysaccharide fraction of the marine red alga Gracilaria birdiae which prevented naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in rats by reversing glutathione depletion [22]; in vitro antioxidant properties of a polysaccharide from the brown seaweed Sargassum graminifolium (Turn.) that was also observed to inhibit calcium oxalate crystallization, a constituent of urinary kidney stones [23]; antioxidant activity in organic extracts from 30 species of Hawaiian marine algae, with the carotenoid fucoxanthin identified as the major bioactive antioxidant compound in the brown alga T. ornata [24]; screening of antioxidant activity in 18 cyanobacteria and 23 microalgae cell extracts identified Scenedesmus obliquus strai...…”

Spasmolytic Effect of Caulerpine Involves Blockade of Ca2+ Influx on Guinea Pig Ileum

“…Our research group reported some pharmacological activities of marine algae and their secondary metabolites [16,30,31,32]. Recently, we described the antinociceptive activity of caulerpine [16].…”