Study of anticonvulsant effect of citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol, in rodents

This study investigated the possible antinociceptive effect of p-cymene in different tests of orofacial nociception. The animals (mice) were pretreated (i.p.) with p-cymene (25, 50, 100 mg/kg), morphine (5 mg/kg), or vehicle (0.2% Tween 80+saline), and were then subsequently administered, subcutaneously into their upper lip: formalin, capsaicin, and glutamate. The nociceptive behavior response was characterized by the time in s that the mice remained rubbing the orofacial region, for a period of 40 min in the formalin test (first phase, 0-6 min; and second phase, 21-40 min), and for 42 and 15 min in the capsaicin and glutamate tests, respectively. To verify the possible opioid involvement in the antinociceptive effects, naloxone (i.p.) was administered into the mice 15 min prior to the pretreatment with p-cymene (100 mg/kg). Finally, whether or not the p-cymene evoked any change in motor performance in the Rota-rod test was evaluated. The results showed that the treatment with p-cymene, at all doses, reduced (p<0.001) the nociceptive behavior in all nociception tests. The antinociceptive effect of p-cymene was antagonized by naloxone (1.5 mg/kg). Additionally, mice treated with p-cymene did not show any change in motor performance. In conclusion, p-cymene attenuated orofacial nociception, suggesting an involvement of the opioid system in this effect. Thus, p-cymene might represent an important biomolecule for management and/or treatment of orofacial pain.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 38%

p-Cymene reduces orofacial nociceptive response in mice

Santana¹,

Quintans‐Júnior²,

Cavalcanti³

et al. 2011

“…Brazil not only has one of the world's highest levels of biodiversity but also it has a wealth of traditional knowledge accumulated by local people who have direct access to nature and to the products of biodiversity (Albuquerque et al, 2007). In this sense, information from Brazilian ethnic groups on traditional medicine have contributed to the discovery of pharmacological activities from several plant-derived agents, which have resulted in a signifi cant body of publications (Almeida et al, 2001;Sousa et al, 2004a;2005;De Sousa et al, 2006;Amaral et al, 2007;Silva et al, 2007;Volpato et al, 2008;Silva et al, 2009a;Silva et al 2009b;Morais at al., 2010). In spite of this, the current knowledge on the biodiversity of ecosystems as, for example, of the northeast region, is still very embryonic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioactivity and potential therapeutic benefits of some medicinal plants from the Caatinga (semi-arid) vegetation of Northeast Brazil: a review of the literature

Silva¹,

Melo²,

Vasconcelos³

et al. 2012

Abstract:Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine for several thousand years all over the world. In this sense, information from Brazilian ethnic groups on folk medicine have contributed to the discovery of pharmacological activities from various plant-derived agents potentially leading to the innovative drugs. The Caatinga (semi-arid) vegetation is a highly threatened biome, covering a vast area in northeastern Brazil and has suffered from strong human influence for many decades. Many plants species found in the Caatinga have been widely used in folk medicine and for commercial manufacturing of phytotherapeutic products. Thus, the present review aims to disseminate to the scientific community some known species of medicinal plants found in the Caatinga that have been studied and analyzed in pharmacological scientific assays. Among the species that stood out for their local importance and multiplicity of uses were: Amburana cearensisand Zingiber officinalis L. (gengibre). The present study shows that several herbal constituents from Caatinga plants, whose pharmacological actions have been well characterized, may be relevant candidates for future and innovative therapeutic development.

“…Monoterpenes are the main components of these essential oils and the pharmacological properties of many medicinal plants have been attributed to them (Peana et al, 2004;De Sousa et al, 2006;De Sousa et al, 2007;Melo et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ocimum basilicum leaf essential oil and (-)-linalool reduce orofacial nociception in rodents: a behavioral and electrophysiological approach

Venâncio¹,

Marchioro²,

Estavam³

et al. 2011

Abstract:The present study investigated the antinociceptive effects of Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) leaf essential oil (LEO) and (-)-linalool (LIN) in formalin (2%)-, glutamate (25 μM)-and capsaicin (2.5 µg)-induced orofacial nociception models in mice. The involvement of these substances was further evaluated on the neuronal excitability of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Male mice (n=8/group) were pretreated separately with LEO and by LIN (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.p.), morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and vehicle (saline + Tween 80 0.2%), before injection of nociceptive agent into the right upper lip (perinasal area). The LEO and LIN reduced the nociceptive face-rubbing behaviour in both phases on formalin test. LEO and LIN, at high doses, produced significantly antinociceptive effect in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. In hippocampal slices, LEO inhibited the population spike generated by stimulation of the hylus (antidromic stimulation), with an IC50 of 0.1±0.05 mg/mL. This response was reversibly blocked by lidocaine (0.5 mg/mL), a known voltage-dependent sodium channel antagonist and by LIN (0.5 mg/mL). Our results suggest that LEO and LIN modulate neurogenic and inflammatory pain in the tests of orofacial nociception induced by formalin, capsaicin and glutamate. Part of these effects may be associated with decreased peripheral and central neuronal excitability.