A Botanical Composition Mitigates Cartilage Degradations and Pain Sensitivity in Osteoarthritis Disease Model

Mesfin Yimam; Young-Chul Lee; Laura Wright; Ping Jiao; Teresa Horm; Mei Hong; Lidia Brownell; Qi Jia

doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.0167

Cartilage Protection and Analgesic Activity of a Botanical Composition Comprised ofMorus alba,Scutellaria baicalensis, andAcacia catechu

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2017/7059068 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mesfin Yimam ◽

Teresa Horm ◽

Laura Wright ◽

Ping Jiao ◽

Mei Hong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Analgesic Activity ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Disease Model ◽

Morus Alba ◽

Scutellaria Baicalensis ◽

Botanical Composition ◽

Model Study ◽

Associated Symptoms ◽

Acacia Catechu

Although there have been augmented advances in drug discovery, current OA management is inadequate due to the lack of successful therapies proven to be effective in modifying disease progression. For some, the risk outweighs the benefit. As a result, there is a desperate need for safe and efficacious natural alternatives. Here we evaluated a composition fromMorus alba,Scutellaria baicalensis, andAcacia catechuin maintaining joint structural integrity and alleviating OA associated symptoms in monoiodoacetate- (MIA-) induced rat OA disease model. Study lasted for 6 weeks. 59.6%, 64.6%, 70.7%, 69.9%, and 70.3% reductions in pain sensitivity were observed for rats treated with the composition from week 1 to week 5, respectively. Statistically significant improvements in articular cartilage matrix integrity (maintained at 57.1% versus MIA + vehicle treated rats) were shown from the modified total Mankin score for animals treated with the composition. The composition showed a statistically significant reduction in uCTX-II level (54.1% reductions). The merit of combining these botanicals was also demonstrated in their synergistic analgesic activity. Therefore, the standardized blend ofMorus alba,Scutellaria baicalensis, andAcacia catechucould potentially be considered as an alternative remedy from natural sources for the management of OA and/or its associated symptoms.

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UP3005, a Botanical Composition Containing Two Standardized Extracts ofUncaria gambirandMorus alba, Improves Pain Sensitivity and Cartilage Degradations in Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Rat OA Disease Model

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/785638 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mesfin Yimam ◽

Young-Chul Lee ◽

Tae-Woo Kim ◽

Breanna Moore ◽

Ping Jiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Disease Model ◽

Symptomatic Therapy ◽

Root Bark ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Irreversible Damage ◽

Limited Mobility ◽

Associated Symptoms ◽

Monosodium Iodoacetate

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial disease primarily noted by cartilage degradation in association with inflammation that causes significant morbidity, joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Present-day management of OA is inadequate due to the lack of principal therapies proven to be effective in hindering disease progression where symptomatic therapy focused approach masks the actual etiology leading to irreversible damage. Here, we describe the effect of UP3005, a composition containing a proprietary blend of two standardized extracts from the leaf ofUncaria gambirand the root bark ofMorus alba, in maintaining joint structural integrity and alleviating OA associated symptoms in monosodium-iodoacetate- (MIA-) induced rat OA disease model. Pain sensitivity, micro-CT, histopathology, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) level analysis were conducted. Diclofenac at 10 mg/kg was used as a reference compound. UP3005 resulted in almost a complete inhibition in proteoglycans degradation, reductions of 16.6% (week 4), 40.5% (week 5), and 22.0% (week 6) in pain sensitivity, statistically significant improvements in articular cartilage matrix integrity, minimal visual subchondral bone damage, and statistically significant increase in bone mineral density when compared to the vehicle control with MIA. Therefore, UP3005 could potentially be considered as an alternative therapy from natural sources for the treatment of OA and/or its associated symptoms.

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Alleviation of pain and depression by specific neural transplants: Fine structural correlates

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100129966 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 1066-1067

Author(s):

George D. Pappas ◽

Jacqueline Sagen

Keyword(s):

Opioid Peptides ◽

Chromaffin Cells ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Opioid Peptide ◽

Local Source ◽

Pain Models ◽

Neural Transplants ◽

Adrenergic Antagonists ◽

Csf Levels ◽

Donor Source

We have been interested in the use of neural transplants mainly as a local source of neuroactive substances, rather than as a replacement for damaged neural circuities. In particular, we have been exploring the possibilities of reducing pain by transplants of opioid peptide producing cells, and reducing depression by transplants of monoamine-producing cells. For the past several years, work in our laboratory has demonstrated in both acute and chronic pain models that transplantation of adrenal medullary tissue or isolated chromaffin cells into CNS pain modulatory regions can reduce pain sensitivity in rodents. Chromaffin cells were chosen as donor source since they produce high levels of both opioid peptides and catecholamines, substances which independently, and probably synergistically, reduce pain sensitivity when injected locally into the spinal cord. The analgesia produced by these transplants most likely results from the release of both opioid peptides and catecholamines, since it can be blocked or attenuated by opiate or adrenergic antagonists, respectively. Furthermore, CSF levels of met-enkephalin and catecholamines are increased by the transplants.

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Does the Mayo Clinic end-stage liver disease model (MELD) accurately allocate organs to 2A patients?

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(01)80378-4 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. A77-A77

Author(s):

C SPONSELLER ◽

S RAMRAKHIANI ◽

A BEFELER

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Mayo Clinic ◽

Disease Model ◽

End Stage Liver Disease ◽

End Stage

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Reduction in Pain Sensitivity from Pharmacological Elevation of Blood Pressure in Persons with Chronically Low Blood Pressure

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803.23.3.104 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 104-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Stefan Duschek ◽

Heike Heiss ◽

Boriana Buechner ◽

Rainer Schandry

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pain Perception ◽

Drug Effects ◽

Pressure Effects ◽

Double Blind ◽

Low Blood Pressure ◽

Present Trial

Recent studies have revealed evidence for increased pain sensitivity in individuals with chronically low blood pressure. The present trial explored whether pain sensitivity can be reduced by pharmacological elevation of blood pressure. Effects of the sympathomimetic midodrine on threshold and tolerance to heat pain were examined in 52 hypotensive persons (mean blood pressure 96/61 mmHg) based on a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Heat stimuli were applied to the forearm via a contact thermode. Confounding of drug effects on pain perception with changes in skin temperature, temperature sensitivity, and mood were statistically controlled for. Compared to placebo, higher pain threshold and tolerance, increased blood pressure, as well as reduced heart rate were observed under the sympathomimetic condition. Increases in systolic blood pressure between points of measurement correlated positively with increases in pain threshold and tolerance, and decreases in heart rate were associated with increases in pain threshold. The findings underline the causal role of hypotension in the augmented pain sensitivity related to this condition. Pain reduction as a function of heart rate decrease suggests involvement of a baroreceptor-related mechanism in the pain attrition. The increased proneness of persons with chronic hypotension toward clinical pain is discussed.

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