Effect of Sapindus trifoliatus on hyperalgesic in vivo migraine models

Abstract

Phytotherapies have offered alternative sources of therapy for migraine and gained much importance in prophylactic treatment. Sapindus trifoliatus is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing wild in south India that belongs to the family Sapindaceae. The pericarp is reported for various medicinal properties. A thick aqueous solution of the pericarp is used for the treatment of hemicrania, hysteria or epilepsy in folklore medicine. We have investigated the antihyperalgesic effects of the lyophilized aqueous extract of S. trifoliatus in animal models predictive of experimental migraine models using morphine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia on the hot-plate test and on 0.3% acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions in adult male Swiss albino mice. The extract significantly (N = 10, P < 0.05) increased the licking latency in the hot-plate test when administered ip at 10 mg/kg (6.70 ± 0.39 s in saline control vs 18.76 ± 0.96 s in S. trifoliatus-treated animals) and significantly (N = 10, P < 0.001) reduced the abdominal constrictions when administered ip at 2 and 10 mg/kg (40.20 ± 1.36 in saline control vs 30.20 ± 1.33 and 23.00 ± 0.98 for 2 and 10 mg/kg, ip, respectively, in S. trifoliatustreated animals). Furthermore, when administered ip at 20 and 100 mg/kg, the extract significantly (N = 10, P < 0.05) inhibited the apomorphine-induced climbing behavior in mice (climbing duration 15.75 ± 5.0 min for saline control vs 11.4 ± 1.28 and 3.9 ± 1.71 min for 20 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, in S. trifoliatus-treated animals). In receptor radioligand-binding studies, the extract exhibited affinity towards D 2 receptors. The findings suggest that dopamine D 2 antagonism could be the mechanism involved in the antihyperalgesic activity of the aqueous extract of S. trifoliatus.

Medicinal Plants of the Genus Sapindus (Sapindaceae) - A Review of Their Botany, Phytochemistry, Biological Activity and Traditional Uses

“…The results showed that antagonism to dopamine D2 might underlie the mechanism involved in the anti-hyperalgesic activity of the plant extract 57 .…”

Nutraceuticals for the treatment of migraine prophylaxis

“…However, so far no human trials have been reported with the use of Sapindus trifoliatus. [19][20][21] A wealth of literature lends to support the use of several herbal medicines in the treatment of migraine and other types of headache. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa), Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Sweet bay (Laurus noblilis) are not to be excluded from the list.…”

Preventive role of Sapindus species in different neurological and metabolic disorders

“…It is also beneficial for skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis (Arulmozhi et al, 2004[ 4 ]). In addition, Sapindus species has also been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to treat excessive salivation, epilepsy, chlorosis, and neuroleptic diseases (Arulmozhi et al, 2005[ 3 ]). Current biological and pharmacological updates on Sapindus trifoliatus have been reviewed below (Table 1 (Tab.…”

“…Current biological and pharmacological updates on Sapindus trifoliatus have been reviewed below (Table 1 (Tab. 1) ; References in Table 1: Arul et al, 2004[ 1 ]; Arulmozhi et al, 2004[ 2 ][ 4 ], 2005[ 3 ][ 5 ]; Bera et al, 2019[ 6 ]; Bodhankar et al, 1974[ 7 ]; Borad et al, 2001[ 8 ]; Chaudhary et al, 2019[ 9 ]; Chen et al, 2019[ 10 ]; Desai, et al, 1986[ 11 ]; Dixit and Gupta, 1982[ 12 ]; Gandreddi et al, 2015[ 13 ]; Grover et al, 2005[ 14 ]; Hu et al, 2018[ 15 ]; Kamboj and Dhawan, 1982[ 16 ]; Lal et al, 1976[ 17 ]; Lu et al, 2016[ 18 ]; Polli et al, 2021[ 19 ]; Pore et al, 2010[ 20 ]; Porsche et al, 2018[ 21 ]; Samiksha et al, 2019[ 22 ]; Sirisha et al, 2018[ 23 ]; Tiwari et al, 2008[ 24 ]; Tungmunnithum et al, 2018[ 25 ]; Wei et al, 2021[ 26 ]).…”