Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Angelicae dahuricae radix through inhibition of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and NO production.
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.
Kang
Ok-Hwa
OH
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Korea.
Chae
Hee-Sung
HS
Oh
You-Chang
YC
Choi
Jang-Gi
JG
Lee
Young-Seob
YS
Jang
Hye-Jin
HJ
Kim
Jong-Hak
JH
Kim
Youn Chul
YC
Sohn
Dong Hwan
DH
Park
Hyun
H
Kwon
Dong-Yeul
DY
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
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II