Antihyperalgesic Effect of Latex Proteins From Calotropis Procera: Involvement of Inflammatory Mediators

Abstract

Background and aimsCalotropis procera is a tropical plant found worldwide and has been used in the traditional medicinal for the treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of protein fraction from Calotropis procera latex (LP) in the mechanical hypernociception (increase in the sensitivity of nociception).MethodsSwiss male mice were used. b) Mechanical hypernociception (MH) was evaluated using the electronic version of the Von Frey before and after the injection of carrageenan (300 μg/paw‐Cg) or LP (0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg, iv, 30 min before Cg application) into the mice paw (1, 3 and 5 hours after Cg). c) After 3 h of Cg injection, subplantar tissue was collected for measurement of: myeloperoxidase activity (MPO); cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐1β) and chemokine (KC) production; prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. d) ANOVA/Bonferroni was used as statistical tests. P<0.05 was accepted. e) Ethics Committee 61/11.ResultsLP 5 mg/kg reduced MH in 25%, 55% and 46% and LP 50 mg/kg in 39%, 64% and 60% in the 1st, 3rd and 5th hours. LP at 5 and 50 mg/kg decreased MPO concentration in 80% and 94% respectively. LP at 5mg/kg reduced the concentration of TNF‐ α, IL‐1β, KC and PGE2 at 71%, 81%, 72% and 72% respectively.ConclusionLP has antinociceptive properties in animal model of acute pain and this may be associated with the inhibition of neutrophil migration, cytokine and chemokine production. CAPES and CNPq.