Anti-Inflammatory, Antinociceptive, and Gastric Effects ofHypericum perforatumin Rats

Abstract

The pharmacological activity of Hypericum perforatum was assessed using models of inflammation, nociception, and gastric mucosal injury in rats. H. perforatum was given systemically as well as orally. When administered systemically, H. perforatum (50–300 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a dose-related and significant inhibition of the edematogenic response to s.p. injection of carrageenan. The percentages of maximal inhibition by the above doses were 53.7, 61.3, and 75.3%, respectively (compared to 90% after 50 mg/kg fluoxetine and 60.7% after 72 mg/kg etodolac). In tests of nociception, H. perforatum, administered orally, displayed antinociceptive activity in the tail electric stimulation and hot plate tests. The antinociceptive activity was observed with 25 mg/kg and a maximal increase in hot plate latency by 50% (compared to 73.2 and 77.8% increases by 5 or 10 mg/kg fluoxetine, respectively). In contrast, the acetic acid–induced (0.6%, i.p.) writhing was significantly reduced by fluoxetine or etodolac, but not H. perforatum. Also, the nociceptive response caused by i.p. injection of capsaicin (1.6 μg/paw) was unaffected by H. perforatum, but reduced by fluoxetine. Injection of H. perforatum (50, 125, or 250 mg/kg, s.c.) to pylorus-ligated rats, decreased gastric acid secretion, but increased indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions dose dependently. These results demonstrate that H. perforatum exhibits antiedematogenic and antinociceptive properties, which may be of value for the management of inflammatory painful conditions. The agent, however, causes gastric irritation and may aggravate that of NSAIDs.

Effects of desipramine on the antioxidant status in rat tissues at carrageenan‐induced paw inflammation

“…The present study showed that DES (50 mg·kg −1 ) inhibited much lower (about 20%) the CG‐induced paw edema compared with the same dose of fluoxetine (another type of antidepressant); its edematous response to CG injection is about 90% . These antidepressants also show a different effectiveness in another experimental model—septic shock; given preventively, the drugs markedly decrease the circulating levels of TNF‐ α (a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation) and mortality (50% mortality in fluoxetine‐treated group and 30% in DES‐treated groups).…”

“…confirm the above findings. The authors establish a significant reduction of paw edema by imipramine, amitriptyline and clomipramine and about 90% decrease by 50 mg·kg −1 of fluoxetine in the edematogenic response to CG injection . The partially suppressed fluoxetine anti‐edema effect by the opioid antagonist naloxone suggests that both serotonergic and opioid systems are likely involved in the modulating action of fluoxetine on peripheral inflammation .…”

Anti‐Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Terminalia Muelleri Benth. (Combretaceae)

“…Analgesic activity was tested in mice using the hot plate according to a previously reported method [Abdel‐Salam, ] with slight modifications. Forty Swiss mice were divided into 5 groups ( n = 8 per group).…”

Phytochemical study, cytotoxic, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of Strychnos nux-vomica

“…Analgesic activity was tested in mice using the hot plate according to (Abdel-Salam 2005) with slight modifications. Forty Swiss mice were divided into five groups (n = 8).…”