Antinociceptive effects of dehydrocorydaline in mouse models of inflammatory pain involve the opioid receptor and inflammatory cytokines.
Dehydrocorydaline (DHC) is an alkaloidal component isolated from Rhizoma corydalis. Previous studies have shown that DHC has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects and that it can protect the cardiovascular system. However, there are few studies of the antinociceptive effects of DHC in vivo. This study explored the antinociceptive effects and possible mechanisms of DHC in mice using two inflammatory pain models: the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the formalin paw test. The intraperitoneal administration of DHC (3.6, 6 or 10 mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced writhing test and significantly attenuated the formalin-induced pain responses in mice. The antinociceptive effects of DHC were not associated with changes in the locomotor activity or motor responses of animals, and no obvious acute or chronic toxic effects were observed in the mice. Furthermore, the use of naloxone confirmed the involvement of the opioid receptor in the central antinociceptive effects of DHC. DHC reduced formalin-induced paw edema, which indicated that DHC may produce an anti-inflammatory effect in the periphery. In the formalin test, DHC decreased the expression of caspase 6 (CASP6), TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 proteins in the spinal cord. These findings confirm that DHC has antinociceptive effects in mice.
Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing City, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
Zhi-Yu
ZY
Yin
Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing City, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
Lu
L
Li
Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing City, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
Shuai-Shuai
SS
Chu
Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing City, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
Qing
Q
Sun
Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing City, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
Zheng-Liang
ZL
Ma
Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No.321, Zhongshan Road, Nanjing City, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
Xiao-Ping
XP
Gu
D000085:Acetates / Q000009:adverse effects; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*
D000085:Acetates; D000470:Alkaloids; D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D005557:Formaldehyde; C007232:dehydrocorydalin; D009270:Naloxone