Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (β-lapachone).
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (β-lapachone; β-lap) and to elucidate its probable mode of action.


METHODS
Carrageenan-induced paw edema, cell migration evaluation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and nitric oxide were used for this study. Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis was used as a model of chronic inflammation. β-Lap was tested in doses of 40 and 60 mg/kg, orally.


RESULTS
In the paw edema test, the dose of 60 mg/kg gave a higher percentage inhibition of edema (49.3 %) than control. β-Lap inhibited neutrophil migration and reduced concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in peritoneal exudates of animals with peritonitis. In the arthritis test, β-lap inhibited edema and NO production in the serum of treated animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities were observed in animals treated with β-lap. The effects of β-lap can be attributed in part to immunomodulation with reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO.
Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua Prof. Artur Sá, Cidade Universitária, Recife/PE, Brazil.
Marília Maria
MM
Sitônio
Carlson H R de
CH
Carvalho Júnior
Ingrid de A
Ide A
Campos
José Bruno Nunes Ferreira
JB
Silva
Maria do Carmo Alves de
Mdo C
Lima
Alexandre J S
AJ
Góes
Maria Bernadete Sousa
MB
Maia
Pedro J
PJ
Rolim Neto
Teresinha G
TG
Silva
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C014638:beta-lapachone