Anti-inflammatory properties of cryptolepine.
Cryptolepine is the major alkaloid of the West African shrub, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. Cryptolepine has been shown to inhibit nitric oxide production, and DNA binding of Nuclear Factor-kappa B following inflammatory stimuli in vitro. In order to validate the anti-inflammatory property of this compound in vivo, we investigated its effects on a number of animal models of inflammation. Cryptolepine (10-40 mg/kg i.p.) produced significant dose-dependent inhibition of the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, and carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats. These effects were compared with those of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (10 mg/kg). At doses of 10-40 mg/kg i.p., cryptolepine inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microvascular permeability in mice in a dose-related fashion. Oral administration of up to 40 mg/kg of the compound for four consecutive days did not induce gastric lesion formation in rats. Analgesic activity was also exhibited by cryptolepine through a dose-related (10-40 mg/kg i.p.) inhibition of writhing induced by i.p. administration of acetic acid in mice. The results of this study reveal that cryptolepine possesses in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.
Olajide
Olumayokun A
OA
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. olajide705@btinternet.com
Ajayi
Abayomi M
AM
Wright
Colin W
CW
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002351:Carrageenan; D031106:Cryptolepis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D026121:Indole Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011804:Quinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D026121:Indole Alkaloids; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011804:Quinolines; C024015:cryptolepine; D002351:Carrageenan; D019342:Acetic Acid; D007213:Indomethacin