Volume 103, Issue 1 pp. 43-47

Antinociceptive Effect of the Polygala sabulosa Hydroalcoholic Extract in Mice: Evidence for the Involvement of Glutamatergic Receptors and Cytokine Pathways

Camila M. Ribas

Camila M. Ribas

Departments of Physiological Sciences and

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Flavia C. Meotti

Flavia C. Meotti

Departments of Physiological Sciences and

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Francisney P. Nascimento

Francisney P. Nascimento

Departments of Physiological Sciences and

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Amanda V. Jacques

Amanda V. Jacques

Departments of Physiological Sciences and

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Alcir L. Dafre

Alcir L. Dafre

Departments of Physiological Sciences and

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Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues

Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues

Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, and

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Marcelo Farina

Marcelo Farina

Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, and

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Cristian Soldi

Cristian Soldi

Department of Chemistry, Center of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

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Beatriz G. Mendes

Beatriz G. Mendes

Department of Chemistry, Center of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

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Moacir G. Pizzolatti

Moacir G. Pizzolatti

Department of Chemistry, Center of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

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Adair R. S. Santos

Adair R. S. Santos

Departments of Physiological Sciences and

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First published: 28 June 2008
Citations: 32
Author for correspondence: Adair R. S. Santos, Department of Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil (fax +55 48 37219672, e-mail [email protected]).

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the role of the glutamatergic system on the antinociception caused by Polygala sabulosa hydroalcoholic extract (HE). The systems mediated by substance P, capsaicin, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also investigated. P. sabulosa HE given orally produced a significant inhibition of glutamate-induced paw licking [ID50 = 530.3 (416.7–674.8) mg/kg and inhibition of 79 ± 6% at 1000 mg/kg]. The plant derivatives α-spinasterol, scopoletin and styryl-2-pyrones (compound 1 and 3) (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) inhibited 80 ± 7%, 46 ± 11%, 45 ± 11% and 35 ± 13% the nociceptive response caused by glutamate, respectively. Furthermore, P. sabulosa HE (500 mg/kg, orally) caused marked inhibition of nociceptive response induced by intrathecal injection of glutamate, N-methyl-d-aspartic acid, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, kainate, TNF-α and IL-1β, with inhibitions of 44 ± 7%, 55 ± 4%, 38 ± 10%, 61 ± 7%, 76 ± 9% and 100%, respectively. In contrast, P. sabulosa HE (500 mg/kg, orally) did not affect the biting response induced by the metabotropic glutamatergic receptor agonist (±)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, substance P and capsaicin. The locomotor activity was altered only in mice treated with a very high dose (1000 mg/kg) of P. sabulosa HE. Our results showed that the antinociceptive effects of P. sabulosa HE are associated with an inhibition of glutamatergic transmission and an inhibition of pathways dependent on pro-inflammatory cytokines. The plant derivatives α-spinasterol, scopoletin and styryl-2-pyrones play an important role on the antinociceptive effects of P. sabulosa HE.

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