scholarly journals Antinociceptive Activity of Methanol Extract ofMuntingia calaburaLeaves and the Mechanisms of Action Involved

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Mohd. Sani ◽  
Z. A. Zakaria ◽  
T. Balan ◽  
L. K. Teh ◽  
M. Z. Salleh

Muntingia calaburaL. (family Elaeocarpaceae) has been traditionally used to relieve various pain-related ailments. The present study aimed to determine the antinociceptive activity of methanol extract ofM. calaburaleaves (MEMC) and to elucidate the possible mechanism of antinociception involved. Thein vivochemicals (acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin-, capsaicin-, glutamate-, serotonin-induced paw licking test) and thermal (hot plate test) models of nociception were used to evaluate the extract antinociceptive activity. The extract (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) was administered orally 60 min prior to subjection to the respective test. The results obtained demonstrated that MEMC produced significant (P<0.05) antinociceptive response in all the chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models, which was reversed after pretreatment with 5 mg/kg naloxone, a non-selective opioid antagonist. Furthermore, pretreatment with L-arginine (a nitric oxide (NO) donor), NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl esters (L-NAME; an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS)), methylene blue (MB; an inhibitor of cyclic-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway), or their combination also caused significant (P<0.05) change in the intensity of the MEMC antinociception. In conclusion, the MEMC antinociceptive activity involves activation of the peripheral and central mechanisms, and modulation via, partly, the opioid receptors and NO/cGMP pathway.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Dai ◽  
Zhi-Xuan Wang ◽  
Yan-Qing Sheng ◽  
Zhi-Wen Wu ◽  
Yan Qiu ◽  
...  

Endocannabinoids play important roles in the functioning of various physiological systems in humans and non-mammalian animals, including invertebrates. However, information concerning their roles in physiological functions in members of the phylum Mollusca is scarce. Here the hypothesis that the endocannabinoids are involved in mediating settlement of marine invertebrates was tested. Two endocannabinoids [N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG)], and two endocannabinoid-like lipids [N-Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and N-Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)] were detected in the green mussel Perna viridis. In particular, 2-AG was present at significantly higher levels in unattached P. viridis compared with attached mussels. The in vivo level of 2-AG was inversely correlated with the attachment activity of P. viridis. Furthermore, exposure to synthetic 2-AG inhibited attachment of P. viridis in a reversible manner. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that up-regulation of 2-AG synthase (Phospholipase C-β, PLC-β) and down-regulation of its degrading enzyme (Monoacylglycerol lipase, MAGL) resulted in higher levels of 2-AG in unattached mussels. A putative mechanism for the negative regulation of mussel attachment by 2-AG is proposed that involves a Ca2+- Nitric oxide (NO)- cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. This study broadens our understanding of the evolution and roles of the endocannabinoid system in animals, and reveals an endogenous regulatory cue for mussel attachment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd. Hijaz Mohd. Sani ◽  
Muhammad Taher ◽  
Deny Susanti ◽  
Teh Lay Kek ◽  
Mohd. Zaki Salleh ◽  
...  

Objective: Elucidate the antinociceptive mechanisms of α-mangostin isolated from Garcinia malaccensis Linn. Methods: Male mice/rats ( n = 6/group) were used in this between-group study. To determine α-mangostin’s antinociceptive profile, animals were given α-mangostin orally (3, 30, or 100 mg/kg) 60 min before the start of the abdominal constriction or formalin tests. In the hot plate test, the noxious stimulus was applied before and 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 min after treatment with test solutions. Positive controls received 100 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; oral) or 5 mg/kg morphine (intraperitoneal injection) for the abdominal constriction and hot plate tests, respectively, and either ASA or morphine for the formalin test. Negative controls received vehicle only. To explore α-mangostin’s mechanisms of action, we performed (i) the hot plate test with naloxone (5 mg/kg) pretreatment to verify involvement of opioid receptors; (ii) the abdominal constriction test with 20 mg/kg l-arginine, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl esters (l-NAME), methylene blue (MB), l-arginine plus l-NAME, or l-arginine plus MB or 10 mg/kg glibenclamide pretreatment to verify involvement of the l-arginine/nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and K+-ATP pathways; and (iii) the paw-licking test using capsaicin (1.6 μg capsaicin/paw), glutamate (10 μmol glutamate/paw), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 0.05 µg/paw) to verify involvement of vanilloid receptors, the glutamatergic system, and protein kinase C (PKC). Results: α-mangostin significantly inhibited nociception ( p < .05) in all models. Only naloxone, l-arginine, methylene blue, PMA, and glibenclamide affected α-mangostin antinociception significantly ( p < .05). Conclusion: α-mangostin exhibits peripheral and central antinociception through modulation of opioid and vanilloid receptors, the glutamatergic system, and the l-arginine/NO/cGMP/PKC/K+-ATP pathways.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hafiz Abdul Rahim ◽  
Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria ◽  
Mohd Hijaz Mohd Sani ◽  
Maizatul Hasyima Omar ◽  
Yusnita Yakob ◽  
...  

The objectives of the present study were to determine the mechanisms of antinociceptive effect of methanol extract ofClinacanthus nutans(Acanthaceae) leaves (MECN) using various animal nociceptive models. The antinociceptive activity of orally administered 10% DMSO, 100 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), 5 mg/kg morphine, or MECN (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) was determined using the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction (ACT), formalin-induced paw licking (FT), and hot plate tests (HPT). The role of opioid and nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) systems was also investigated. The results showed that MECN produced a significant (p<0.05) antinociceptive response in all nociceptive models with the recordedED50value of 279.3 mg/kg for the ACT, while, for the early and late phases of the FT, the value was >500 mg/kg or 227.7 mg/kg, respectively. This antinociceptive activity was fully antagonized by naloxone (a nonselective opioid antagonist) but was partially reversed byL-arginine (L-arg; a nitric oxide [NO] precursor), Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME; an NO synthase inhibitor), or their combinations thereof. In contrast, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) enhanced the extract’s antinociception. UHPLC analysis revealed the presence of several flavonoid-based compounds with antinociceptive action. In conclusion, MECN exerted the peripherally and centrally mediated antinociceptive activity via the modulation of the opioid/NO-mediated, but cGMP-independent, systems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 1143-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria ◽  
Mohammed Hijaz Sani ◽  
Mohammed Fazli Mohammat ◽  
Nurul Shulehaf Mansor ◽  
Zurina Shaameri ◽  
...  

This study was carried out to determine the antinociceptive activity of a novel synthetic oxopyrrolidine-based compound, (2R,3R,4S)-ethyl 4-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylate (ASH21374), and to elucidate the involvement of the opioid, vanilloid, glutamate, and nitric oxide – cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) systems in modulating the observed antinociception. ASH21374, in the doses of 2, 10, and 100 mg/kg body mass, was administered orally to mice 60 mins prior to exposure to various antinociceptive assays. From the results obtained, ASH21374 exhibited significant (P < 0.05) antinociceptive activity in the abdominal constriction, hot-plate, and formalin tests that was comparable with 100 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid or 5 mg/kg morphine, respectively. ASH21374 also attenuated capsaicin- and glutamate-induced paw licking. Pre-treatment with 5 mg/kg naloxone significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the activity in all assays, while pretreatment with 10 mg/kg β-funaltraxamine, 1 mg/kg naltrindole, or 1 mg/kg nor-binaltorphimine significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the activity in the abdominal constriction test. l-Arginine, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl esters (l-NAME), methylene blue, and their combinations, failed to inhibit the ASH21374 antinociceptive activity. In conclusion, ASH21374 demonstrated antinociceptive activities on the peripheral and central nervous systems, mediated through the activation of opioid receptors, inhibition of the glutamatergic system, and attenuation of vanilloid-mediated nociceptive transmission. Further studies have been planned to determine the pharmacological potential of ASH21374.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria ◽  
Rushduddin Al Jufri Roosli ◽  
Najihah Hanisah Marmaya ◽  
Maizatul Hasyima Omar ◽  
Rusliza Basir ◽  
...  

Dicranopteris linearis leaf has been reported to exert antinociceptive activity. The present study elucidates the possible mechanisms of antinociception modulated by the methanol extract of D. linearis leaves (MEDL) using various mouse models. The extract (25, 150, and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally to mice for 30 min priot to subjection to the acetic acid-induced writhing-, hot plate- or formalin-test to establish the antinociceptive profile of MEDL. The most effective dose was then used in the elucidation of possible mechanisms of action stage. The extract was also subjected to the phytochemical analyses. The results confirmed that MEDL exerted significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity in those pain models as well as the capsaicin-, glutamate-, bradykinin- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced paw licking model. Pretreatment with naloxone (a non-selective opioid antagonist) significantly (p < 0.05) reversed MEDL effect on thermal nociception. Only l-arginine (a nitric oxide (NO) donor) but not N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; a NO inhibitor) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; a specific soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) significantly (p < 0.05) modified MEDL effect on the writhing test. Several polyphenolics and volatile antinociceptive compounds were detected in MEDL. In conclusion, MEDL exerted the opioid/NO-mediated antinociceptive activity, thus, justify D. linearis as a potential source for new analgesic agents development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (18) ◽  
pp. 1544-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sijia Xiao ◽  
Qianbin Li ◽  
Liqing Hu ◽  
Zutao Yu ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
...  

Soluble Guanylate Cyclase (sGC) is the intracellular receptor of Nitric Oxide (NO). The activation of sGC results in the conversion of Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP) to the secondary messenger cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP modulates a series of downstream cascades through activating a variety of effectors, such as Phosphodiesterase (PDE), Protein Kinase G (PKG) and Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Ion Channels (CNG). NO-sGC-cGMP pathway plays significant roles in various physiological processes, including platelet aggregation, smooth muscle relaxation and neurotransmitter delivery. With the approval of an sGC stimulator Riociguat for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), the enthusiasm in the discovery of sGC modulators continues for broad clinical applications. Notably, through activating the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, sGC stimulator and activator potentiate for the treatment of various diseases, such as PAH, Heart Failure (HF), Diabetic Nephropathy (DN), Systemic Sclerosis (SS), fibrosis as well as other diseases including Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Central Nervous System (CNS) disease. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies of sGC stimulator and activator in recent years and prospect for the development of sGC modulators in the near future.


Author(s):  
Ana C. Palei ◽  
Hunter L. Martin ◽  
Barbara A. Wilson ◽  
Christopher D. Anderson ◽  
Joey P. Granger ◽  
...  

The prevalence of preeclampsia and obesity have increased. While obesity is a major risk factor for preeclampsia, the mechanisms linking these morbidities are poorly understood. Circulating leptin levels increase in proportion to fat mass. Infusion of this adipokine elicits hypertension in non-pregnant rats, but less is known about how hyperleptinemia impacts blood pressure during placental ischemia, an initiating event in the pathophysiology of hypertension in preeclampsia. We tested the hypothesis that hyperleptinemia during reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) exaggerates placental ischemia-induced hypertension. On gestational day (GD) 14, Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with osmotic mini-pumps delivering recombinant rat leptin (1 mg/kg per min, i.v.) or vehicle concurrently with the RUPP procedure to induce placental ischemia or Sham. On GD 19, plasma leptin was elevated in Sham+Leptin and RUPP+Leptin. Leptin infusion did not significantly impact mean arterial pressure (MAP) in Sham. MAP was increased in RUPP+Vehicle vs. Sham+Vehicle. In contrast to our hypothesis, placental ischemia-induced hypertension was attenuated by leptin infusion. To examine potential mechanisms for attenuation of RUPP-induced hypertension during hyperleptinemia, endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation to acetylcholine was similar between Sham and RUPP; however, endothelial-independent vasorelaxation to the nitric oxide (NO)-donor, sodium nitroprusside, was increased in Sham and RUPP. These findings suggest that NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling was increased in the presence of hyperleptinemia. Plasma cGMP was elevated in Sham and RUPP hyperleptinemic groups compared to vehicle groups but plasma and vascular NO metabolites were reduced. These data suggest that hyperleptinemia during placental ischemia attenuates hypertension by compensatory increases in NO/cGMP signaling.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 175883401775163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wu ◽  
Miaomiao Yuan ◽  
Wenbin Su ◽  
Miaolin Zhu ◽  
Xiaoyuan Yao ◽  
...  

Type II cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG II) is a membrane-anchored enzyme expressed mainly in the intestinal mucosa and the brain, and is associated with various physiological or pathological processes. Upregulation of PKG II is known to induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. The inhibitory effect of PKG II has been shown to be dependent on the inhibition of the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and blockade of EGFR downstream signal transduction in vitro. However, it remains unclear whether similar phenomena/mechanisms exist in vivo and whether these effects are independent of cGMP or cGMP analogues. In the present work, nude mice with transplanted orthotopic tumours were infected with adenovirus encoding cDNA of constitutively active PKG II mutant (Ad-a-PKG II) and the effect of constitutively active PKG II (a-PKG II) on tumour development was detected. The results showed that a-PKG II effectively ameliorated gastric tumour development through delaying the growth, inducing the apoptosis, and inhibiting the metastasis and angiogenesis. The effect was related to blockade of EGFR activation and abrogation of the downstream signalling cascades. These findings provide novel insight which will benefit the development of new cancer therapies.


2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 849-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM H. BALDRIDGE ◽  
ANDY J. FISCHER

Nitric oxide (NO) activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and the resulting increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is an important intracellular signalling pathway in the vertebrate retina. Immunocytochemical detection of cGMP following exposure to NO donors has proven an effective method of identifying cells that express sGC. While such an approach has proven useful for the study of several vertebrate retinas, it has not been applied to the well-characterized teleost retina. Therefore, in the present study, we have applied this approach to the retina of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). In the presence of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), incubation of goldfish eyecups in Ringer's solution containing (±)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) increased cGMP-like immunoreactivity (cG-ir) in bipolar, horizontal, amacrine, and ganglion cells and in ganglion cell axons and optic nerve. Weak labeling was observed in horizontal cells but no change in cG-ir was noted within photoreceptors. The NO donor-stimulated increases of cG-ir in horizontal, bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells are consistent with known physiological effects of NO on these neurons. The physiological significance of NO action at the level of optic nerve is not known. The lack of an effect of SNAP on cG-ir in photoreceptors was unexpected, as there are known physiological actions of NO, mediated by cGMP, on these neurons. Although this may be due to insufficient sensitivity of immunolabeling, this result may indicate a difference between isoforms of sGC or cGMP PDE in these neurons, compared to neurons where exogenous NO increased cG-ir.


2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Alves de Sá Siqueira ◽  
Tatiana M.C. Brunini ◽  
Natália Rodrigues Pereira ◽  
Marcela Anjos Martins ◽  
Monique Bandeira Moss ◽  
...  

Nitric oxide (NO) production occurs through oxidation of the amino acid l-arginine by NO synthase (NOS). NO inhibits platelet activation by increasing the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), thus maintaining vascular homeostasis. Our group previously demonstrated ( da Silva et al. 2005 ) an enhancement of the l-arginine–NO–cGMP pathway in platelets taken from chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on haemodialysis associated with reduced platelet aggregation. We investigate the platelet l-arginine–NO–cGMP pathway, platelet function, and inflammation from patients in CRF on conservative treatment. A total of 42 CRF patients and 42 controls (creatinine clearance = 27 ± 3 vs. 93 ± 1 mL per min per 1.73 m2, respectively) participated in this study. NOS activity and expression and cGMP concentration were measured in platelets. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen or ADP was evaluated and plasma levels of fibrinogen were determined by the Clauss method. A marked increase in basal NOS activity was seen in undialysed CRF patients compared with controls, accompanied by an elevation of fibrinogen plasma levels. There were no differences in expression of NOS and in cGMP levels. In this context, platelet aggregation was not affected. We provide the first evidence of increased intraplatelet NO biosynthesis in undialysed CRF patients, which can be an early marker of future haemostatic abnormalities during dialysis treatment.


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