title: Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Memora nodosa and allantoin in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The leaves and stems bark of Memora nodosa (Silva Manso) Miers (Bignoniaceae) are used in Brazilian traditional medicine in the treatment of external ulcers and wounds; its roots are used to treat abdominal pain and scabies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Memora nodosa roots ethanolic extract (EMN) and allantoin, a secondary metabolite isolated from this plant.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EMN and allantoin antinociceptive activity were evaluated in mice using both chemical and heat-induced pain models such as acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and tail-flick tests. In the formalin test, a pre-treatment with naloxone was used to verify an involvement of opioid receptor in the antinociceptive effect of EMN and allantoin. Pre-treatment with glibenclemide was used to verity an involvement of ATP-sensitive K(+)channel in the allantoin antinociceptive effect. EMN and allantoin anti-inflammatory activity were assessed by carrageenan-induced paw edema and pleurisy tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment with EMN (250, 500 and 1000mg/kg, p.o.) inhibit the acetic acid and formalin (both phases)-induced nociception. However, just at doses 500 and 1000mg/kg increased the latency time in tail-flick test. These results suggest the involvement of both peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanisms. The treatment with allantoin (40, 60 and 80mg/kg p.o.) produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in both phases of formalin-induced nociception test; allantoin (60mg/kg) was not able to increase the latency time in tail flick-test. The pre-treatment with naloxone completely reversed the EMN (1000mg/kg) and allantoin (60mg/kg) effect in the first phase of formalin test; and glibenclamide reversed the allantoin effect. The administration of EMN (250, 500 and 1000mg/kg) and allantoin (60mg/kg) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the whole carrageenan-induced paw edema. Furthermore, EMN and allantoin reduced the leukocytes migration and pleural exudate to the pleural cavity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EMN have significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, which appear to be, at least in part, due to the presence of allantoin. However, allantoin is not responsible for the EMN central antinociceptive activity. Allantoin has peripheral antinociceptive activity that involves the opioid receptor and ATP-sensitive K(+)channels. Opioid receptors are also involved in the EMN antinociceptive activity. These findings support the use of Memora nodosa in popular medicine and demonstrate that this plant has therapeutic potential for the development of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory phytomedicines.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia de Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, ICB, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil. Electronic address: Iziara_bia@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Iziara F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Florentino
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia de Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, ICB, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daiany P B
authors.initials: DPB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, UFOB, Barreiras, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pablinny M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Galdino
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia de Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, ICB, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberta C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lino
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia de Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, ICB, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: José L R
authors.initials: JLR
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia de Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, ICB, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dayane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais, FF, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais, FF, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonice M F
authors.initials: LMF
authors.lastname: Tresvenzol
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia de Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, ICB, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elson A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000481:Allantoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029402:Bignoniaceae; D002351:Carrageenan; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005557:Formaldehyde; D054086:KATP Channels; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D011957:Receptors, Opioid
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D054086:KATP Channels; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D005557:Formaldehyde; D000481:Allantoin; D002351:Carrageenan; D019342:Acetic Acid
keywords: Allantoin; Anti-inflammatory; Antinociceptive; Medicinal plant; Memora nodosa