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Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (β-lapachone)

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Abstract

Objective and design

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (β-lapachone; β-lap) and to elucidate its probable mode of action.

Methods

Carrageenan-induced paw edema, cell migration evaluation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and nitric oxide were used for this study. Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis was used as a model of chronic inflammation. β-Lap was tested in doses of 40 and 60 mg/kg, orally.

Results

In the paw edema test, the dose of 60 mg/kg gave a higher percentage inhibition of edema (49.3 %) than control. β-Lap inhibited neutrophil migration and reduced concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in peritoneal exudates of animals with peritonitis. In the arthritis test, β-lap inhibited edema and NO production in the serum of treated animals.

Conclusion

Significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities were observed in animals treated with β-lap. The effects of β-lap can be attributed in part to immunomodulation with reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology of Pernambuco-FACEPE and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq, Brazil. The authors are grateful to Sebastien Read-Auber for editing the English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua Prof. Artur Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife/PE, Brazil

    Marília Maria Sitônio, Carlson H. R. de Carvalho Júnior, Ingrid de A. Campos, José Bruno Nunes Ferreira Silva, Maria do Carmo Alves de Lima, Alexandre J. S. Góes & Teresinha G. Silva

  2. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua Prof. Artur Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife/PE, Brazil

    Maria Bernadete Sousa Maia

  3. Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua Prof. Artur Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife/PE, Brazil

    Pedro J. Rolim Neto

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  1. Marília Maria Sitônio
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  2. Carlson H. R. de Carvalho Júnior
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Correspondence to Teresinha G. Silva.

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Responsible Editor: Jerauld Skotnicki.

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Sitônio, M.M., de Carvalho Júnior, C.H.R., Campos, I.d.A. et al. Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (β-lapachone). Inflamm. Res. 62, 107–113 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-012-0557-0

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