title: Antinociceptive activity of aqueous extract and isolated compounds of Lithrea molleoides.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lithrea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine in South America.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, the in vivo antinociceptive effect of L. molleoides' aqueous extract and its isolated compounds has been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antinociceptive activity was evaluated through writhing, formalin and hot plate tests in mice. The phytochemical analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by acetic acid (ED50: 8.7 mg/kg, i.p.) and formalin (ED50: 7.7 mg/kg, i.p.) administered intraperitoneally and also orally. Yohimbine diminished the activity of the extract in the acetic acid test meanwhile haloperidol enhanced its effect. Two majority compounds, shikimic and vanillic acid were active in chemical nociceptive models used in this work, producing the highest inhibition of the writhing response at a dose of 30 mg/kg i.p. (55.4% and 57.1%, respectively) meanwhile at 100 mg/kg p.o. produced a slight response (23.3% and 23.9%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that L. molleoides' aqueous extract produced antinociception possibly related to the presence of shikimic and vanillic acid. The adrenergic and dopaminergic systems seem to be involved in the mechanism of antinociception of the extract.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956, C1113AAD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Florencia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morucci
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miño
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gorzalczany
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012765:Shikimic Acid / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013020:South America; D014641:Vanillic Acid / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005557:Formaldehyde; D012765:Shikimic Acid; D015016:Yohimbine; D014641:Vanillic Acid; D006220:Haloperidol; D019342:Acetic Acid