title: Anti-neuropathic effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. terpenoid fraction: relevance of nicotinic receptors.
abstract: Traditional uses and current results highlight the neuroprotective properties of Rosmarinus officinalis L. The compelling need for novel strategies able to relieve neuropathic pain encouraged us to analyze different rosemary leaf extracts in rats following chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve. Ethanol, acetone, and the innovative ultrasound-hexane extractive methods were used to obtain: EE, AE, and for hexane extracts UREprel and URE. Extracts were characterized in terms of typical constituents and repeatedly administered to CCI-rats (13-days treatment, from the day of surgery). URE showed the best efficacy and potency in reducing hypersensitivity to noxious- and non-noxious stimuli and spontaneous pain. URE contained the higher quantity of the terpenoid carnosic acid (CA) and its efficacy was compared to pure CA. Histological analysis of the sciatic nerve revealed that URE prevented axon and myelin derangement, edema and inflammatory infiltrate. In the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, URE did not reduce astrocyte activation. Both the pain reliever and the neuroconservative effects of URE were significantly prevented by the nicotinic receptor (nAChR) antagonist mecamylamine. In conclusion, the hexane-ultrasound rosemary extract is able to reduce neuropathic hypersensitivity and protect nervous tissues. Effectiveness is mainly related to the terpenoid fraction by mechanisms involving nAChRs.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Cesare Mannelli
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Micheli
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.affiliation: Dept. Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cravotto
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Division, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellumori
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Division, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Innocenti
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Division, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mulinacci
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ghelardini
mesh_terms: D045784:Abietanes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008464:Mecamylamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D027542:Rosmarinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D045784:Abietanes; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D012997:Solvents; D013729:Terpenes; D008464:Mecamylamine; C018381:salvin