title: Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Angelicae dahuricae radix through inhibition of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and NO production.
abstract: The extract of Angelicae dahuricae radix has traditionally been used as an anti-noceptive remedy in China. In this study, the methanol extract of Angelicae dahuricae radix (MEAD) was evaluated to determine if it has anti-noceptive and anti-inflammatory action. The anti-nociceptive activities of MEAD were evaluated by determining the writhing response and sleeping time, as well as by a formalin test. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activities of MEAD were evaluated by a vascular permeability test as well as by measuring the carrageenan-induced paw edema and conducting a myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. MEAD (600 and 1200 mg/kg) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects on acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, carrageenan-induced paw edema, and MPO activity. Moreover, the results of the formalin test, the acetic acid-induced writhing response and the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time indicated that MEAD had anti-nociceptive effects that occurred in a concentration-dependent manner. To determine the mechanism by which MEAD exerted its effects on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) by treated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated. Similar to the in vivo activities, both the iNOS expression and NO production were significantly suppressed by MEAD in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MEAD inhibited the activating phosphorylation of ERK1/2. These results provide a scientific basis that explains the mechanism by which Angelicae dahuricae radix relieves inflammatory pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Ok-Hwa
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hee-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: You-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jang-Gi
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young-Seob
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hye-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Jong-Hak
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Youn Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dong-Yeul
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D029969:Angelica / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II