Impulses coming from peripheries are modified in the spinal cord and transmitted to the brain. Several neurotransmitters have been involved in the processing of impulses in the spinal dorsal horn. Acetylcholine (ACh) is one of many neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of nociception in the spinal cord. In this study we investigated the role of nicotinic, muscarinic, serotonergic and GABA receptors in the regulation of spinal ACh release since these receptors are reported to be involved in spinal nociceptive processes. Different receptor ligands were infused intraspinally via microdialysis and the spinal ACh release was measured by on-line HPLC. Receptor-ligand binding studies were performed with spinal cord homogenates as well as receptors expressed in cells. In the first study, we found that nicotine and some of the nicotinic antagonists used increased ACh release suggesting that spinal ACh release is regulated by different nAChRs. Nicotine and nicotinic agonists may act on different types of receptors with different affinity to produce the observed net effect of increased ACh release. We propose the possibility of an involvement of three different nicotinic receptor subtypes in the regulation of spinal ACh release. The effect of epibatidine, which is regarded as a nicotinic agonist, on muscarinic receptors was investigated in the second study. We propose that epibatidine, in μM concentrations, is a partial muscarinic receptor agonist that may interact with spinal muscarinic receptors to increase ACh release. The dual action on both nAChRs and mAChRs may explain the potent analgesic effect observed after intra-spinal epibatidine administration. In the third study, we investigated the role of serotonin receptor involvement in ACh release control. The results suggest that only 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors are involved in spinal ACh release. Considering current knowledge, the most probable location of 5-HT2A receptors is on cholinergic neurones. On activation of the 5-HT2A receptors the cellular excitability of cholinergic neurones is increased which results in an increasing ACh release. The 5-HT1A receptors might be located on cell bodies of GABA neurones which inhibit the firing rate of the GABA neurones when activated by serotonin. In the fourth study, we investigated the GABA receptor involvement in the regulation in spinal ACh release. We found that GABAA receptors are tonically inhibiting spinal ACh release. The results further suggest that GABAB receptors also are involved in the regulation of spinal ACh release. However, unlike GABAA antagonists, GABAB antagonists do not increase ACh release. This suggests that GABAB receptors are not tonically regulating the spinal ACh release.

The spinal cord is an important component in the processing and modulation of painful stimuli. Nerve signals from the periphery are relayed and further conducted to the brain (nociception) in the spinal cord, and the most essential modulation of painful information (antinociception) occurs here. Several neurotransmitters are involved in spinal pain modulation, among them acetylcholine. However, the role of acetylcholine has previously been little investigated. In the present thesis, the acetylcholine release in the spinal cord was studied in vivo. By using spinal microdialysis on anaesthetised rats, the effects on the intraspinal acetylcholine release of various receptor ligands and analgesic agents were examined. This, together with pain behavioural tests and in vitro pharmacological assays, was used to evaluate the role of acetylcholine in spinal pain modulation. The four studies in this thesis resulted in the following conclusions: An increased release of spinal acetylcholine is associated with an elevated pain threshold, while a decreased acetylcholine release is associated with hyperalgesia, as seen after systemic treatment with a muscarinic agonist and an antagonist. Lidocaine is a potent analgesic when given systemically. It was found to produce an increase of intraspinal acetylcholine after intravenous injection of analgesic doses. This effect was attenuated after muscarinic, and abolished after nicotinic, receptor blockade. Various a2-adrenergic ligands, associated with nociceptive or antinociceptive effects, were found to affect intraspinal acetylcholine release via action on nicotinic receptors. Finally, the involvement of spinal acetylcholine in the analgesic effects of aspirin and paracetamol was examined. It was found that spinal acetylcholine could participate in the analgesic effects of aspirin, but not of paracetamol. The present thesis provides data that clearly demonstrate a relationship between intraspinal acetylcholine and antinociception, and elucidate interactions between acetylcholine and other mechanisms that mediate antinociception in the spinal cord.

Morphine is the most widely prescribed opiate for alleviation of persistent pain; however, it is becoming increasingly clear that morphine is less potent in women compared to men. Morphine primarily binds mu opioid receptors, which are densely localized in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). Anatomical and physiological studies conducted in the 1960s identified the PAG, and its projections to the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and spinal cord dorsal horn, as an essential neural circuit mediating opioid-based analgesia. Remarkably, the majority of studies since then were conducted in males with the implicit assumption that this circuit was the same in females; this is not the case. It is now well established that morphine produces greater analgesia in males compared to females in a wide range of vertebrates, however, the mechanism(s) driving this sex difference is not clear. Our recent studies indicate that two factors appear to be contributing to the sexually dimorphic effects of morphine. First, there are sex differences in the anatomy and physiology of the descending inhibitory pathway on which morphine acts to produce analgesia. Specifically, the projections from the PAG to the RVM are sexually dimorphic and activated to a greater degree by both inflammatory pain and systemic morphine in males. In the absence of pain, the PAG-RVM circuit is activated to a greater degree in males compared to females, while this activation steadily declines during the development of tolerance in males only. We also have evidence of a sexually dimorphic expression of mu opioid receptor within the PAG that appears to contribute to sex differences in morphine potency. Microinjection of morphine directly into the PAG produces significantly greater analgesia in males, indicating that the PAG is sufficient for eliciting this sexually dimorphic behavior. Furthermore, mu opioid receptor-expressing PAG neurons are necessary for eliciting a sexually dimorphic response to morphine as lesioning mu opioid receptor-expressing neurons attenuates analgesia in males only. Together, these data indicate that the PAG-RVM pathway and mu opioid receptor expression in the PAG is sexually dimorphic and provides a primary mechanism for sex differences in morphine potency.

Fluorine incorporation has become increasingly important in pharmaceutical applications. Upon fluorination and incorporation of fluorinated moieties such as trifluoromethoxy groups, many small molecules become more bioavailable and metabolically stable and additionally can better cross the blood-brain-barrier. This thesis describes the development of a method mediated by silver salts for the synthesis of pharmaceutical-like trifluoromethoxylated compounds via \(C-OCF_3\) bond formation. Additionally the synthesis of 3-deoxy-3-fluoromorphine via late-stage fluorination of morphine is described as well as in vitro and in vivo evaluation of 3-deoxy-3-fluoromorphine as a potential analgesic. / Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Morphine is the most widely prescribed opiate for alleviation of persistent pain; however, it is becoming increasingly clear that morphine is less potent in women compared to men. Morphine primarily binds mu opioid receptors, which are densely localized in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). Anatomical and physiological studies conducted in the 1960s identified the PAG, and its projections to the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and spinal cord dorsal horn, as an essential neural circuit mediating opioid-based analgesia. Remarkably, the majority of studies since then were conducted in males with the implicit assumption that this circuit was the same in females; this is not the case. It is now well established that morphine produces greater analgesia in males compared to females in a wide range of vertebrates, however, the mechanism(s) driving this sex difference is not clear. Our recent studies indicate that two factors appear to be contributing to the sexually dimorphic effects of morphine. First, there are sex differences in the anatomy and physiology of the descending inhibitory pathway on which morphine acts to produce analgesia. Specifically, the projections from the PAG to the RVM are sexually dimorphic and activated to a greater degree by both inflammatory pain and systemic morphine in males. In the absence of pain, the PAG-RVM circuit is activated to a greater degree in males compared to females, while this activation steadily declines during the development of tolerance in males only. We also have evidence of a sexually dimorphic expression of mu opioid receptor within the PAG that appears to contribute to sex differences in morphine potency. Microinjection of morphine directly into the PAG produces significantly greater analgesia in males, indicating that the PAG is sufficient for eliciting this sexually dimorphic behavior. Furthermore, mu opioid receptor-expressing PAG neurons are necessary for eliciting a sexually dimorphic response to morphine as lesioning mu opioid receptor-expressing neurons attenuates analgesia in males only. Together, these data indicate that the PAG-RVM pathway and mu opioid receptor expression in the PAG is sexually dimorphic and provides a primary mechanism for sex differences in morphine potency.

Pain is a common symptom in clinical practice and many advances have been observed in order to obtain more effective analgesic molecules with fewer side effects. The present study evaluated the antinociceptive potential of four novel pyrazoles: 3-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-5-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole methyl ester (MPF3), 4-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-5-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole methyl ester (MPF4), 3-methyl-5-trichloromethyl-5-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole methyl ester (MPCl3), and 4-methyl-5-trichloromethyl-5-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole methyl ester (MPCl4). The systemic administration of the compounds was effective for the inhibition of the nociception in chemical (formalin test, 0.03 -1.0 mmol/kg, i.p.) and thermal (hot-plate test, 0.1-1.0 mmol/kg, i.p.) models of pain. In addition, MPF4 also produced antinociception in models of inflammatory pain induced by Complete Freund s Adjuvant (CFA) or by incision procedure in paw of mice. The antinociceptive effect of MPF4 (1.0 mmol/kg, i.p.) was not reversed by yohimbine (0.15 mg/kg, i.p.) or p-chlorophenylalanine ethyl ester (PCPA; 300 mg/kg, i.p.), but by naloxone (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.), in both thermal and chemical nociception. Animals given MPF4 (1.0 mmol/kg, i.p.) daily for 8 days in a row, in contrast to morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.), showed no tolerance to its antinociceptive effect or cross-tolerance with morphine. However, similarly to morphine (11 mg/kg, i.p.), MPF4 (1.0 mmol/kg, i.p.) reduced gastrointestinal transit in mice and its effect was reversed by naloxone (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Unlike indomethacin (0.1 mmol/kg, p.o.), MPF4 (1.0 mmol/kg, p.o.) did not induce gastric lesions in mice. The tested compounds did not impair locomotion in the mice as well. Taken together, the results demonstrate that these novel pyrazoline methyl esters evaluated may be promising prototypes of additional mild analgesics, which are therapeutically relevant. / A dor é um sintoma comum na prática clínica, por isso muitos avanços estão sendo realizados no sentido de obter moléculas analgésicas cada vez mais efetivas e com menos efeitos colaterais. Neste contexto, no presente estudo avaliou-se o potencial antinociceptivo de quatro pirazóis inéditos: 3- metil-5-hidroxi-5-trifluormetil-4,5-diidro- 1H-pirazol metil éster (MPF3), 4-metil-5-hidroxi-5-trifluormetil-4,5-diidro-1H-pirazol metil éster (MPF4), 3-metil-5-hidroxi-5-triclorometil-4,5-diidro-1H-pirazol metil éster (MPCl3) e 4-metil-5-hidroxi-5-triclorometil-4,5-diidro-1H-pirazol metil éster (MPCl4). A administração sistêmica dos compostos foi efetiva em inibir a nocicepção em modelos de dor induzida por estímulo nocivo químico (teste da formalina, 0,03-1,0 mmol/kg, i.p.) e térmico (teste da placa-quente, 0,1-1,0 mmol/kg, i.p.). Em adição, MPF4 produziu antinocicepção em modelos de dor inflamatória causada por Adjuvante Completo de Freund (ACF) ou por incisão na pata de camundongos. O efeito antinociceptivo de MPF4 (1,0 mmol/kg, i.p.) não foi revertido pelo prétratamento dos animais com ioimbina (0,15 mg/kg, i.p.) ou p-clorofenilalanina etil éster (PCPA; 300 mg/kg, i.p.), mas sim, por naloxona (2,0 mg/kg, i.p.), tanto na nocicepção térmica quanto na nocicepção química. O tratamento dos animais durante um período de 8 dias consecutivos com MPF4 (1,0 mmol/kg, i.p), ao contrário daqueles tratados com morfina (5,0 mg/kg, i.p.), não desenvolveram tolerância antinociceptiva nem tolerância cruzada com os animais tolerantes à morfina. Porém, similar ao opióide morfina (11 mg/kg, i.p.), MPF4 (1,0 mmol/kg, i.p) inibiu o trânsito gastrintestinal de camundongos, sendo este efeito revertido por naloxona (2,5 mg/kg, i.p.). Além disso, diferente de indometacina (0,1 mmol/kg, v.o.), MPF4 (1,0 mmol/kg, v.o.) não induziu lesão gástrica em camundongos. Nenhum dos compostos testados causou alteração na atividade locomotora dos camundongos. Estes achados sugerem que os novos pirazoline metil ésteres avaliados parecem ser promissores para o desenvolvimento de novas drogas analgésicas terapeuticamente relevantes.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4346673 bytes, checksum: fd998db4f71e5b25e2e51345d6f03360 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Linalool oxide (OXL) is a monoterpene, monocyclic alcohol, which has pleasant odor and can be found in essential oils of some aromatic plants. It can also be obtained from linalool by natural oxidation or synthetic processes. The lack of research on possible pharmacological activities of OXL encouraged this work that had as main objective the assessment of anxiolytic-like and antinociceptive-like activities of OXL on male Swiss mice. Initially was investigated the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of OXL in order to establish safe doses and concentrations for subsequent tests. The OXL was used in the experiments at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.) and at concentrations of 0.65%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5.0% by inhalation (INH). In order to investigate the profile of action of this monoterpene on central nervous system, general tests such as behavior pharmacological screening and rotarod test were performed. During the screening, analgesia was the main effect observed in animals treated with OXL i.p. or by INH route. Inhaled OXL also increases rearing and climbing behavior in animals. In rotarod test OXL i.p. or INH caused no motor impairments in mice. In specific tests, inhaled OXL presented a profile of anxiolytic drug by increasing the time spent in open arms of elevated plus maze and increasing the time spent in the brightly-lit chamber of the light/dark box. The standard drug used in these animal models of anxiety was diazepam. OXL i.p. showed a profile of antinociceptive drug, decreasing the number of abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid and decreasing the time spent by the animals licking the injected paw in both observation phases of the formalin test. In these tests, morphine was used as standard drug. Pharmacological tools such as naloxone, atropine, sulpiride and caffeine were used to attempt elucidate the mechanism involved in the antinociceptive effect of OXL. Sulpiride and naloxone reversed this antinociceptive effect in the first phase of the formalin test, and caffeine in both phases, suggesting the involvement of opioid, dopaminergic and adenosinic transmissions in the antinociceptive action. The development of this thesis has presented preliminary findings of OXL psychopharmacological activity. Further investigations with this monoterpene can lead to the future development of a new drug or molecule with greater potency and selectivity. / O óxido de linalol (OXL) é um monoterpeno, álcool monocíclico, de odor agradável, que pode ser encontrado em óleos essenciais de algumas plantas aromáticas. Pode também ser obtido, a partir do linalol, por oxidação natural ou processos sintéticos. A ausência de pesquisas sobre as possíveis atividades farmacológicas do OXL incentivou à realização deste traballho, que teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade ansiolítica e antinociceptiva do OXL em camundongos Swiss machos. Inicialmente, foi realizada a pesquisa da dose letal 50 (DL50) do OXL, no intuito de estabelecer doses e concentrações relativamente seguras para os testes subsequentes. O OXL foi utilizado nos experimentos nas doses de 50, 100 e 150 mg/kg, pela via intraperitoneal (i.p.) e nas concentrações de 0,65%, 1,25%, 2,5% e 5,0%, pela via inalatória (v.i.). Para investigar o perfil de ação deste monoterpeno no sistema nervoso central foram realizados testes gerais como triagem farmacológica comportamental e teste da barra giratória. Durante a triagem, a analgesia foi o principal efeito observado nos animais tratados com OXL i.p. e v.i. Houve também aumento nos comportamentos de levantar e escalar nos animais que inalaram OXL. No teste da barra giratória foi observado que o OXL i.p. e v.i. não causou prejuízos à coordenação motora dos animais. Durante a realização de testes específicos, o OXL v.i., apresentou um perfil de droga ansiolítica, aumentando o tempo de permanência dos animais nos braços abertos do labirinto em cruz elevado e no compartimento iluminado do aparelho de claro-escuro. A droga padrão utilizada nesses modelos animais de ansiedade foi o diazepam. O OXL i.p. apresentou um perfil de droga antinociceptiva, diminuindo o número de contorções abdominais induzidas pelo ácido acético e o tempo de lambida da pata dos animais, nas duas fases de observação do teste da formalina. Nestes testes, a morfina foi usada como droga padrão. Para tentar elucidar o mecanismo envolvido no efeito antinociceptivo do OXL foram usadas ferramentas farmacológicas como naloxona, atropina, sulpirida e cafeína. O efeito antinociceptivo do OXL foi revertido pela naloxona e sulpirida na primeira fase do teste da formalina, e pela cafeína, em ambas as fases, sugerido o envolvimento de transmissão opióde, dopaminérgica e adenosínica na ação antinociceptiva. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho apresentou descobertas preliminares de atividades psicofarmacológicas do OXL. Outras investigações com este monoterpeno podem levar, no futuro, ao desenvolvimento de um novo medicamento ou nova molécula com maior potência e seletividade.

Clusia nemorosa is distributed throughout Brazil and its extract is widely used in popular medicine to treat different diseases. Although the popular use of extract of C. nemorosa, the scientific reported on their pharmacological and phytochemical analysis are scarce. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect of hexane extract of Clusia nemorosa-derived stem bark (EHC). To evaluate the antinociceptive effect of EHC classical models of the study of pain were used, such as the abdominal writhing test induced by acetic acid, formalin test and hot plate test. In order to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of EHC, the model of paw edema induced by carrageenan were used. Rota-rod testing and toxicological analysis in vivo and in vitro were performed. Mices submitted to abdominal writhing test, was observed a significant reduction in nociceptive response induced by acetic acid, and these effects persisted for up to 2 h after treatment. Moreover, it is important emphasizing that the EHC did not induce changes in motor function of animals when the rota-rod test was performed. In order to investigate the possible mechanism of action of EHC, the animals were pretreated with naloxone (5mg/kg), yohimbine (1 mg/kg), atropine (5 mg/kg), metoclopramide (1 mg/kg), haloperidol (2 mg/kg) and L -NAME (20 mg/kg). Only when used metoclopramide, a serotoninergic and dopaminergic antagonist receptor, it was observed an inhibition of the antinociceptivo effect of EHC, suggesting that the serotoninergic pathway may be involved in the action of the EHC, as haloperidol, a dopaminergic antagonist did not reverse the antinociception of EHC. In addition, EHC did not induce changes in the nociceptive response of animals when assessed by the hot plate test, discarding the action in the central nervous system. Then, when the animals were treated with EHC and submitted to the formalin test, it was observed that only the second phase of this test was inhibited by the EHC, indicating inhibitory actions on pain of EHC from inflammatory origin. To evaluate possible toxic effects of EHC, animals were treated for 7 consecutive days. Then after treatment, were not observed changes in behavior, blood cellularity and cytotoxicity in vitro, which ruled out possible of toxic effects in these preliminary tests. Through analysis of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrum, the major component present in the extract was identified, friedelin, who presented antinociceptive effects on pain and inflammation of neurogenic origin, as evidenced by the formalin test. Although this model of pain induced by formalin, it was observed that the antinociceptive effects friedelin were maintained when the EHC was administered orally. In addition, friedelin inhibited the paw edema induced by carrageenan. Lastly, in vitro assays, this triterpene did not affect cell viability as measured by MTT test. Together, our results support the popular use of this plant based on their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. In addition, we report the first time the presence of pentacyclic triterpenoid, friedelin on hexane extract of Clusia nemorosa-derived stem bark, triterpenoid which is possibly responsible for the pharmacological effects evaluated. / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A espécie Clusia nemorosa é bem distribuída pelo território brasileiro e seus extratos são amplamente utilizados pela medicina popular para tratar diferentes doenças. Mesmo sendo comum o consumo dos extratos de C. nemorosa (EHC), os registros científicos sobre as propriedades farmacológicas e análises fitoquímicas desta espécie ainda mostram-se escassos. Assim, no presente estudo objetivamos avaliar o efeito antinociceptivo e anti-inflamatório do extrato hexânico obtido a partir das cascas do caule de Clusia nemorosa. Para traçar o perfil antinociceptivo foram utilizados os modelos de contorção abdominal induzido por ácido acético, formalina e o teste de placa quente. Com propósito de avaliar o perfil anti-inflamatório utilizamos o teste de edema de pata induzido por carragenina. Para melhor compreender as ações do EHC, submetemos os animais tratados com o extrato ao teste de rota-rod e a análises toxicológicas in vivo e in vitro. No ensaio de contorção abdominal foi observada uma redução na resposta nociceptiva induzida por ácido acético, sendo estes efeitos persistentes por até 2 h após tratamento com EHC. Através do teste de rota rod, verificamos que o EHC não induziu alterações na motricidade dos animais. Com propósito de investigar o possível mecanismo de ação deste extrato os animais foram pré-tratados com naloxona (5 mg/kg), ioimbina (1 mg/kg), atropina (5 mg/kg), metoclopramida (1 mg/kg), haloperidol (2 mg/kg) e LNAME (20 mg/kg). Apenas quando utilizado a metoclopramida, antagonista de receptores serotoninérgicos e dopaminérgicos, ocorreu inibição do efeito antinociceptivo do EHC, sugerindo que as vias serotoninérgicas possam estar envolvidas nas ações do extrato, pois o haloperidol, um antagonista dopaminérgico não reverteu a antinocicepção do EHC. Em adição, o tratamento com EHC não induziu alterações na resposta nociceptiva dos animais quando avaliados pelo teste da placa quente, descartando possíveis ações no Sistema Nervoso Central. Em seguida, quando os animais tratados com extrato foram submetidos ao teste de formalina, foi observado que apenas a segunda fase deste teste foi inibida, indicando ações inibitórias sobre a dor de origem inflamatória, revertida pelo pré-tratamento com metoclopramida. Quando os animais foram submetidos ao tratamento por 7 dias consecutivos com o EHC não foram observadas alterações no comportamento, na celularidade do sangue e citotoxicidade in vitro, o que descartou possíveis efeitos tóxicos nestes testes preliminares. Através de análise de cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectro de massa, foi identificado o componente majoritário presente no extrato, a friedelina (1 e 10 mg/kg; i.p.), que apresentou efeitos atinociceptivos na dor de origem neurogênica e inflamatória, evidenciado pelo teste de formalina. Ainda neste modelo, foi observado que a friedelina manteve seus efeitos antinociceptivos na dor de origem inflamatória quando administrado por via oral. Além disso, a friedelina inibiu o edema de pata induzido por carragenina. Em adição, em ensaios in vitro, este triterpeno não alterou a viabilidade celular. Em conjunto, nossos resultados sustentam o uso popular desta planta tendo por base seus efeitos antinociceptivos e anti-inflamatórios. Além disso, relatamos pela primeira vez a presença do triterpenóide pentacíclico, friedelina, na casca de C. nemorosa, sendo este triterpenóide possivelmente responsável pelos efeitos farmacológicos avaliados.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2012-08-30T20:39:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tâmara Nogueira Caracterização da atividade antinociceptiva do extrato metanólico de adiantum latifolium Lam. em modelos experimentais de dor.pdf: 916333 bytes, checksum: bd09f406974cde64dc9bb0917d1d11b6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-08-30T20:39:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tâmara Nogueira Caracterização da atividade antinociceptiva do extrato metanólico de adiantum latifolium Lam. em modelos experimentais de dor.pdf: 916333 bytes, checksum: bd09f406974cde64dc9bb0917d1d11b6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Adiantum, um dos gêneros mais amplamente distribuídos da família Pteridaceae é empregado na medicina popular mundialmente. Neste trabalho, nós investigamos as propriedades antinociceptivas do extrato metanólico de Adiantum latifolium (EMA) em modelos animais de dor inflamatória. As propriedades farmacológicas de EMA foram avaliadas nos testes de contorção, formalina, retirada de cauda e nos modelos de edema de pata induzido por carragenina e edema de orelha induzido pelo ácido aracdônico. A toxicidade aguda de EMA, assim como seu efeito sobre o desempenho motor dos camundongos no teste de rota rod, foram investigados. Além disso, o perfil químico de EMA foi avaliado por cromatografia. A administração oral (100-400 mg/Kg) ou intraperitoneal (1-100 mg/Kg) de EMA produziu uma inibição dose-dependente do número de contorções abdominais induzidas pelo ácido acético em camundongos. Do mesmo modo, o tratamento com EMA (100 mg/Kg/IP) inibiu a hipernocicepção induzida pela formalina tanto na fase inicial quanto na fase tardia. Em contraste, EMA não alterou o limiar de resposta a estímulo térmico no teste de retirada de cauda, indicando ausência de ação central. Confirmando sua atividade antiinflamatória, EMA (100 e 200 mg/Kg/IP) inibiu eventos importantes relacionados à resposta inflamatória induzida pela carragenina ou ácido aracdônico: edema local e aumento nos níveis de interleucina-1β tecidual. Camundongos tratados com EMA (200 mg/Kg) não mostraram alteração no desempenho motor no teste de rota rod, ou sinais de toxicidade (1000 mg/Kg) durante um período de 14 dias. A análise fitoquímica preliminar indicou a presença de terpenos, esteróides, flavonóides e ácidos fenólicos, os quais podem ser responsáveis pelos efeitos antinociceptivo e/ou antiinflamatório de EMA. Os extratos metanólicos de diferentes partes da planta apresentaram atividade antinociceptiva de igual magnitude, sugerindo que o princípio ativo de EMA se distribui por toda a planta. Quando as frações do extrato foram avaliadas, a butanólica e de acetato de etila apresentaram maior eficácia, sendo consideradas as frações mais ativas. Nossos resultados demonstram que Adiantum latifolium apresenta consistente atividade antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória em diferentes modelos experimentais, possivelmente pela inibição da produção e/ou liberação de IL-1β, constituindo bom candidato para o desenvolvimento farmacológico. Palavras- / Adiantum, one of the most widely distributed genera of the Pteridaceae family, is employed in folk medicine worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the antinociceptive effects of the methanolic extract of Adiantum latifolium (MEA) in animal models of inflammatory pain. The pharmacological properties of MEA were evaluated by using writhing, formalin and tail flick tests, carrageenan-induced paw oedema and arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema models. Mice motor performance was evaluated in the rota-rod test and the acute toxicity evaluated over 14 days. In the next experiments series, the active part of Adiantum latifolium, as well as the active fraction of MEA, was evaluated. A phytochemical screening for classes of constituents of MEA was carried out by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Oral (100-400 mg/kg) or intraperitoneal (1-100 mg/kg) administration of MEA produced a dose-related inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Furthermore, treatment with MEA (100 mg/kg/IP) inhibited both the early and late phases of formalin induced hypernociception. In contrast, MEA (100 mg/kg/IP) did not prevent the thermal nociception in the tail flick test. In addition, MEA (100 and 200 mg/kg/IP) inhibited important events related to the inflammatory response induced by carrageenan or arachidonic acid: namely local oedema and increase in tissue interleukin-1β levels. MEA (200 mg/kg/IP) treated mice did not show any motor performance alterations. Over the study duration of 14 days, there were no deaths or toxic signs recorded in the group of mice given 1000 mg/kg of MEA. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of terpenes, steroids, flavonoids and phenolic acids, which may be responsible for the MEA antinociceptive and/or antiinflammatory effects. Methanolic extracts from different parts of Adiantum latifolium showed equivalent antinociceptive activity, suggesting that the active principle of EMA is homogeny distributed through the plant. Buthanolic and ethyl acetate fractions were the more active fractions of MEA. Our results demonstrate that Adiantum latifolium presents significant antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities in different experimental models, possibly through an inhibition of IL-1β production and constitute good candidate for pharmacologic development.

SILVA, Luana Maria Castelo Melo. Atividades antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória da lectina da alga marinha vermelha Pterocladiella capilacea (S.G. Gmelin) Santelices & Hommersand. 2008. 102 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Bioquímica) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2008. / Submitted by Eric Santiago (erichhcl@gmail.com) on 2016-06-01T13:02:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_dis_lmcmsilva.pdf: 2224713 bytes, checksum: 67e77fcc04fc1e415446bc0b1a28cdb9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-07-12T23:40:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_dis_lmcmsilva.pdf: 2224713 bytes, checksum: 67e77fcc04fc1e415446bc0b1a28cdb9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-12T23:40:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_dis_lmcmsilva.pdf: 2224713 bytes, checksum: 67e77fcc04fc1e415446bc0b1a28cdb9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Marine algae lectins had been showing important biotechnical tools. Our objectives were to study the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the lectin from the marine red alga Pterocladiella capillacea (Pc). The Pc, presenting haemagglutinating activity against trypsin-treated erytrocytes from rabbit, was purified by application of crude extract (0.025 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5) on ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose followed by affinity chromatography on guar-gum column. To proceed, it was used in the nocicepção and inflammation assays, using male Swiss mice and male Wistar rats, respectively. Pc (0.9; 8.1 or 72.9 mg/kg; i.v) it was administered 30 min before each challenge, that is, before the injection i.p of acetic acid 0.8% (10 μl/mL), of the intraplantar injection of 1% formalin (20 μL/paw) or of the Hot Plate test (52±1 ºC), and compared to non treated animals or to pre-treated by Indomethacin or Morphine, both at 5 mg/kg; s.c. It was observed that the Pc (0.9; 8.1 or 72.9 mg/kg) reduced significantly the number of writhes induced by acetic acid (29.2%; 39.3%, and 51.9%, respectively). Pc (72.9 mg/kg) also reduced (p<0.05) the 1st phase (neurogenic) and the 2nd phase (inflammatory) observed after administration of the formalin (58% and 87%, respectively). However, the Pc (72.9 mg/kg) was not capable to reduce the nociception evaluated by Hot Plate test, compared to morphine. These antinociceptive effects were abolished when the Pc was pre-incubated with mucin (1.25 mg/mL), inhibitory glycoprotein of its haemagglutinating activity. Therefore, it is suggested that the antinociceptive activity of the Pc can be predominant by inhibition of peripheric mechanisms. After this, was realized the assays of neutrophil migration for peritoneal cavity or of the paw edema of mice by Carragenan (Cg-type l; 500 g/cavity or paw), where was observed that the administration of the Pc (8,1 mg/kg) 30 min before Cg reduced the neutrophil counts significantly by 84%. However, Pc was not capable to prevent the paw edema induced by Cg. This way, it is suggested that this protein was capable to reduce neutrophil migration by previous mechanism to migration, possibly linking to cellular specific molecules as, for example, selectins. Then, to confirm its safety, the Pc (8.1 mg/kg) was administered daily in mice and observed their behaviors, and at the 7th day, sanguine samples were collected for urea and transaminases (TGO and TGP) dosages, and heavy kidneys and liver. It was observed that Pc did not cause significant alterations, suggesting be safety for the administration period. Considering the data together, it is ended that the Pc possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties with peripheral action. / Lectinas de algas marinhas têm-se mostrado importantes ferramentas biotecnológicas. Objetivou-se estudar as atividades antinociceptivas e antiinflamatórias da lectina da alga marinha vermelha Pterocladiella capillacea (Pc). A Pc, apresentando atividade hemaglutinante contra eritrócitos tripsinizados de coelho, foi obtida a partir da aplicação do extrato protéico total em cromatografia de troca iônica em coluna de DEAE-celulose seguida da cromatografia de afinidade em coluna de goma de guar. A seguir, foi utilizada nos ensaios de nocicepção e inflamação, utilizando camundongos machos Swiss e ratos machos Wistar, respectivamente. Pc (0,9; 8,1 ou 72,9 mg/kg; i.v) foi administrada 30 min antes de cada estímulo nocigênico, ou seja, antes da injeção i.p de ácido acético a 0,8% (10 μL/mL), da injeção intraplantar de formalina a 1% (20 μL/pata) ou do teste da Placa quente (51±1 ºC), e comparada a animais não tratados ou pré-tratados com Indometacina ou Morfina, ambas a 5 mg/kg; s.c. Observou-se que a Pc (0,9; 8,1 ou 72,9 mg/kg) reduziu significantemente o número de contorções abdominais induzidas pelo ácido acético em 29,2%; 39,3%, e 51,9%, respectivamente. Pc (72,9 mg/kg) também reduziu (p<0,05) a fase 1 (neurogênica) e a fase 2 (inflamatória) observadas após administração da formalina, em 58% e 87%, respectivamente. Entretanto, a Pc (72,9 mg/kg) não foi capaz de reduzir a nocicepção observada no teste da Placa Quente, quando comparada à morfina. Os efeitos antinociceptivos da Pc foram abolidos quando a Pc foi pré-incubada com a glicoproteína mucina (1,25 mg/mL), inibidora de sua atividade hemaglutinante. Sugere-se, portanto, que a atividade antinociceptiva da Pc possa ser predominante via inibição de mecanismos periféricos. Assim, seguiram-se os ensaios de indução da migração neutrofílica para cavidade peritoneal ou do edema de pata de ratos por Carragenana (Cg-tipo l; 500 g/cavidade ou pata), onde observou-se que a administração da Pc (8,1 mg/kg; i.v) 30 min antes da Cg reduziu significativamente a contagem do número de neutrófilos em 84%. No entanto, a Pc não foi capaz de prevenir o edema de pata induzido pela Cg. Desta forma, sugere-se que esta proteína foi capaz de reduzir o mecanismo de migração de neutrófilos, possivelmente ligando-se à moléculas específicas celulares, como por exemplo, selectinas. Para confirmar sua segurança, a PC (8,1 mg/kg) foi administrada em camundongos diariamente e no 7º dia foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas para dosagens de uréia e transaminases (TGO e TGP), e pesados rins e fígado. Observou-se que a Pc não causou alterações significativas, sugerindo portanto, ser segura no período de administração avaliado. Dessa forma, considerando os dados em conjunto, conclui-se que a Pc possui propriedades antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória com ação periférica.