Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Costus spicatus in experimental animals.
BACKGROUND
Costus spicatus Swartz (Costaceae), commonly called "cana-do-brejo'" in Brazil's northeast, is a medicinal plant found in wet coastal forests. In folk medicine an infusion of the aerial parts is taken to treat inflammation and pain.


OBJECTIVE
The methanol extract obtained from the leaves of Costus spicatus (MECs) was evaluated for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.


METHODS
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by measuring nociception through acetic acid, formalin, and hot-plate tests, while inflammation was induced by carrageenan. All experiments were conducted with experimental animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Following oral administration, MECs (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhes (52.8, 43.1, and 55.3%, respectively) in the writhing test and the number of paw licks during phase 1 (61.9, 54.1, and 92.1%) and phase 2 (62.5, 82.9, and 98.1%, all doses) during the formalin test when compared to the control group animals. The reaction time during the hot-plate test was increased significantly and was dose-dependent, whereas pretreatment with naloxone rigorously reduced the analgesic potential of MECs, which suggested participation of the opioid system in the modulation of pain induced by MECs. Such results were unlikely to be provoked by motor abnormality, as MECs-treated mice did not exhibit any performance alteration during the Rota-rod test. The administration of 200 and 400 mg/ kg (i.p.) of MECs exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect during the carrageenan test, which was based on interference with inflammatory mediator synthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that MECs has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in rodents.
Quintans Júnior
Lucindo J
LJ
Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (DFS/UFS), São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil. lucindo_jr@yahoo.com.br
Santana
Marília T
MT
Melo
Mônica S
MS
de Sousa
Damião P
DP
Santos
Ivandilson S
IS
Siqueira
Rosana S
RS
Lima
Tamires C
TC
Silveira
Gabriela O
GO
Antoniolli
Angelo R
AR
Ribeiro
Luciano A A
LA
Santos
Márcio R V
MR
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002351:Carrageenan; D029770:Costus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005557:Formaldehyde; D002351:Carrageenan; D019342:Acetic Acid