Ocimum basilicum leaf essential oil and (-)-linalool reduce orofacial nociception in rodents: a behavioral and electrophysiological approach

Abstract

Abstract:The present study investigated the antinociceptive effects of Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) leaf essential oil (LEO) and (-)-linalool (LIN) in formalin (2%)-, glutamate (25 μM)-and capsaicin (2.5 µg)-induced orofacial nociception models in mice. The involvement of these substances was further evaluated on the neuronal excitability of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Male mice (n=8/group) were pretreated separately with LEO and by LIN (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.p.), morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and vehicle (saline + Tween 80 0.2%), before injection of nociceptive agent into the right upper lip (perinasal area). The LEO and LIN reduced the nociceptive face-rubbing behaviour in both phases on formalin test. LEO and LIN, at high doses, produced significantly antinociceptive effect in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. In hippocampal slices, LEO inhibited the population spike generated by stimulation of the hylus (antidromic stimulation), with an IC50 of 0.1±0.05 mg/mL. This response was reversibly blocked by lidocaine (0.5 mg/mL), a known voltage-dependent sodium channel antagonist and by LIN (0.5 mg/mL). Our results suggest that LEO and LIN modulate neurogenic and inflammatory pain in the tests of orofacial nociception induced by formalin, capsaicin and glutamate. Part of these effects may be associated with decreased peripheral and central neuronal excitability.

Evaluation of anti-bacterial activity and bioactive chemical analysis of Ocimum basilicum using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques

“…contain a wide range of essential oils rich in phenolic compounds and a wide array of other natural products including polyphenols such as flavonoids and anthocyanins. Antiviral and antimicrobial activities of this plant have also been reported (Li and Vederas, 2009;Venâncio et al, 2011).…”

“…An important approach to discover new medicines is survey of natural products, such as medicinal plants or their secondary metabolites that modulate painful conditions (Baratta et al, 1998;. Previous studies (Bakkali et al, 2008;Quintans-Júnior et al, 2008;Oliveira et al, 2009;Li and Vederas, 2009;Venâncio et al, 2011) have demonstrated that several Ocimum species are used to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders in various regions of the world, mainly in developing countries, and their analgesic profile is frequently reported. In this study, five clinical pathogens were selected for antibacterial activity, namely, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and Proteus mirabilis.…”

Efficacy and Safety of Medicinal Plants or Related Natural Products for Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review

“…A current approach is to develop a new biological compound from natural products that inhibits pain, such as MP or its secondary metabolites, with enhanced efficacy and minimal side effects [10, 11]. Butler (2008) [11] conducted an extensive research on the drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, USA) in the last decade and described that about 40% of new drugs originate from natural products.…”

Natural Products as Promising Pharmacological Tools for the Management of Fibromyalgia Symptoms – A Review

“…Indeed, this oil also acts by glutamatergic system inhibition or by the inhibition of inflammatory pathways, because it was able to produce a reduction in orofacial nociception when caused by formalin, capsaicin, and glutamate in mice [66]. Furthermore, when assessed using an electrophysiological approach, this oil was able to inhibit an orthodromic response in the dentate hippocampal gyrus, similar to DNQX (a glutamatergic drug), an AMPA and kainate receptor antagonist.…”