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Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Cuphea aequipetala Cav (Lythraceae)

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Abstract

Cuphea aequipetala Cav (Lythraceae) is an herb used in folk treatment for pain and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of an ethanol extract from the leaves and stem of Cuphea aequipetala (CAE). The antinociceptive actions of CAE (10–200 mg/kg p.o.) were assessed with the acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, and formalin tests. The possible mechanism of action of CAE was evaluated using inhibitors. The effects of CAE on motor coordination were assessed by the rotarod test. The in vitro anti-inflammatory actions of CAE were evaluated using LPS-stimulated primary murine macrophages, and the in vivo anti-inflammatory actions were assessed by the TPA-induced ear oedema and the carrageenan-induced paw oedema tests. The production of inflammatory mediators was estimated from both in vitro and in vivo assays. CAE showed antinociception (ED50 = 90 mg/kg) in the acetic acid test and in the second phase of the formalin test (ED50 = 158 mg/kg). Pretreatment with glibenclamide or L-NAME partially reversed the antinociception shown by the plant extract. CAE (50–200 mg/kg) did not affect motor coordination in mice. CAE increased the production of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated macrophages (EC50 = 10 pg/ml) and, in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema test (threefold increase). In conclusion, CAE induced antinociceptive effects without affecting motor coordination, probably due to the involvement of nitric oxide and ATP-sensitive K+ channels. CAE also exerts in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects by increasing the release of IL-10.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta, 36050, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

    Angel Josabad Alonso-Castro

  2. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Calle 43 Calle 90 613 x, Inalámbrica, 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

    Victor Arana-Argáez, Mario Alberto Ramírez-Camacho & Julio Cesar Torres-Romero

  3. Departamento de Química, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

    Eunice Yáñez-Barrientos, Katarzyna Wrobel, Carolina León-Callejas & Kazimierz Wrobel

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  1. Angel Josabad Alonso-Castro
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  2. Victor Arana-Argáez
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  3. Eunice Yáñez-Barrientos
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  4. Mario Alberto Ramírez-Camacho
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  5. Katarzyna Wrobel
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  6. Julio Cesar Torres-Romero
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  7. Carolina León-Callejas
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  8. Kazimierz Wrobel
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Correspondence to Angel Josabad Alonso-Castro or Victor Arana-Argáez.

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Alonso-Castro, A.J., Arana-Argáez, V., Yáñez-Barrientos, E. et al. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Cuphea aequipetala Cav (Lythraceae). Inflammopharmacol 29, 295–306 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-020-00709-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-020-00709-3

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